Fitness Is The Business: Klopp Waiting On Two Players

Who’s unavailable for Monday’s match against the Ranieri-less Leicester City? Well that’s not easily answered, actually. But, the good news is that there are only a couple of question marks of concern. And their names are Daniel Sturridge and Dejan Lovren. Also, would they make a good buddy cop partnership? Also, the answer to that question is ‘yes.’ Something like, “The Sports Authorities.”

Sturridge has been indisposed since last week, having returned early from the mid-season La Manga adventure with a virus. If the England striker walks out onto the grass at Melwood for training today it will be his first session since falling ill. That renders him a big doubt for Monday’s kick off. A spot on the bench, maybe. But, enormous, maybe.

Another first-team absentee from the fantastic voyage to Spain was Lovren who had a thing with his knee that nobody could quite figure out. So, the Croatian defender stayed in England to consult an expert.

“We sent him to a specialist,” said Jürgen Klopp at his pre-Leicester City presser, “and the specialist found a few things not directly on the knee and he was fine.

“Dejan felt really well when he was running outside today. He should be able to train with the team tomorrow.

“He will be very, very close for the Leicester game.”

Lucas Leiva played a great game against Tottenham before the break but getting back to the solid partnership of Lovren and Jöel Matip at the back, I believe, is key to Liverpool building consistency.