Fitness Is The Business

The bad news first, I think. And then the not-good-but-not-surprising news. And then something positive. That’s how we’ll play this one. So, firstly, Jürgen Klopp has said that Jordan Henderson, despite your hopes and chants and lucky charms, will not be available to play for Liverpool against Arsenal on Saturday. We knew that was likely, or more than likely. But hopers are gonna hope. And now that hope can officially die and you can get on with your day. Or night, depending on your location on the spinning globe.

As for Daniel Sturridge, the news is about as shrug-worthy as ever. The England striker was very ill during the break and returned from the festivities in La Manga to get well. That was a tough break for a player, as I’ve said before, who needs more cohesion and in-game mental connections with his teammates. But he got better. And then he got injured.

“He’s not training,” said Klopp of Sturridge. “He was really ill. Now he has a strain in his hip muscle from a rehab session.”

“It’s very small but it keeps him out of normal training for another week or so. He can train but he won’t be in team training.”

It’s a blow for the player, no question. And my heart goes out to the guy. But, shrug accordingly.

On the positive side, it looks like we could see Dejan Lovren make a comeback against the Gunners. Lovren has been out with a knee injury but Klopp is bullish on the Croatian defender’s chances.

“Dejan had full team training yesterday,” said Klopp. We will have to see how he reacts.

“He will be involved in training again if nobody tells me any different and then we have to make a decision.

“He was out for four weeks and will have been training for three days.”

Release the Lovren.