Liverpool fans willing to get up at 4:30am on Thursday will be able to watch Ragnar Klavan’s first steps in a red shirt.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are playing their first friendly of the American Tour against Chelsea in the International Champions Cup in two days’ time, and with Mamadou Sakho sent home, and Joe Gomez and Joel Matip injured – the 30-year-old Estonian should partner Dejan Lovren at the back.
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That’s according to James Pearce in the Echo, who states that we’ll not take any chances with Matip’s ankle until the medics are convinced it’s 100% ready.
The Cameroonian arrived from Schalke on a Bosman, and while he appeared in various friendlies back in England – we’re not sure when we’ll see him in this summer’s marquee friendlies stateside.
Instead, we’ll get to see his former Bundesliga opponent for the first time. Klavan excelled at Augsburg, although very much under the radar of Premier League supporters – so it’ll be mighty interesting to see him properly.
With Sakho’s disciplinary problems and Matip’s injury, perhaps we’ll see Klavan establish himself as a first-choice, rather than a backup.