Liverpool’s Pre-West Brom Fitness Is The Business

You need some good news in your life. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. I’m getting ready to dish out a couple of healthy portions of good news on Liverpool’s injury situation. Today, Jürgen Klopp addressed the recovery of those in his side that have been working hard to be fit for Liverpool’s bombastic ending to the season and he’s come out with two delicious scoops of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez.

The Reds have it all to play for still. Champions League football next season, however likely Liverpool are to secure it, is still in the balance. And a semi-final against AS Roma awaits on Liverpool’s road to the Champions League final in Kiev. So much good. So, let’s first start with the bad news. It’s about Adam Lallana and Emre Can and it’s not really that bad because we knew the two midfielders would be long shots to be fit. Also, Matip’s out but we knew that, too.

“No real news about Adam and Emre,” said Klopp.

“In a good way, we will see what that means at the end. Everything’s possible that they will be part of the squad again this season, or not. That’s how it is.

“The only thing that is 100% sure is that Joël Matip will not be in the squad anymore. He’ll will start the preseason with us.”

Liverpool’s midfield feels threadbare without either Lallana or Can available. Klopp has to pick three from Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the center of the pitch. Beyond those four it gets dicey.

But equally so at the right back position where Trent Alexander-Arnold has mostly been going unrested since Joe Gomez picking up an injury and Nathaniel Clyne’s inclusion has been managed with caution after the England defenders season-long absence.

There’s more bad news here. Klopp revealed that Clyne has picked up a slight muscle injury in training and is more than likely out of contention for Saturday’s match against West Bromwich Albion.

But the silver lining is that Big JoGo has returned to the fold and will be available to spell TAA if needed. Gomez initally was needed as cover at centre-back but Lovren has also returned to training after picking up a knock at Anfield against Bournemouth.

“Clyney struggled a little, had a little muscle issue. So, he’s probably not available for tomorrow,” Klopp said.

“All the rest are available. Joe is back in full training. Dejan had a little bit longer recovery but he trained yesterday as well.”

So, let the great Lovren/Virgil Van Dijk experiment continue. It’s been working. Somehow.