- Liverpool set to be without Adam Lallana for Sunday’s game against Tottenham
- Midfielder absent in past two games after aggravating thigh injury
- Jurgen Klopp keen to take cautious approach after Lallana’s lengthy spell on the sidelines
- SEE MORE: Klopp gives honest opinion on Van Dijk’s start to life at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Liverpool are likely to be without Adam Lallana when his side hosts Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
The German is taking no risks with the midfielder after a slight return of the thigh issue that saw him sidelined for the first three months of the season.
Lallana’s absence comes as another blow to Liverpool’s strength in depth, which was depleted in January by Philippe Coutinho’s £142million move to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge’s loan switch to West Brom.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp told reporters: “In an ideal world, he should not be involved for the weekend because, as we all know, there are real different stages – being fit, able to train and then being match-fit.”
“Adam was not out too long, and if you want had the longest pre-season of all of us with the injury he had, so it will not be long.”
“If nobody is injured or whatever, it’s better for Adam that he can train for the next 10 days until the Southampton game and then he should be ready for sure.”
Lallana has endured a mixed return to action since recovering from his injury, reestablishing himself as a key figure in implementing Klopp’s high press but not yet looking his sharpest on the ball.
Klopp’s protection over Lallana’s fitness comes as no surprise, with the Reds boss having tipped the Englishman to become a leading attacking influence in response to the loss of Coutinho.
The remainder of the season will be telling in just how costly it was for Klopp not to strengthen his attacking resources in January.