Liverpool simply never have a fully fit squad. There’s always one or two problems; even during pre-season the situation is no different.
Following Chelsea’s 1-0 win over us in the International Champions Cup last night, Jurgen Klopp has updated fans on the health of two players who picked up new injuries and one who missed the game as a result…
Marko Grujic was sent to hospital following a clash of heads with Bertrand Traore and Ragnar Klavan limped off following a scything challenge by Cesc Fabregas. Joel Matip has been nursing an ankle problem since he flew stateside, but the boss is currently more worried about Grujic’s head.
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“The biggest problem for me in this moment is that Marko Grujic is in hospital, because he can’t remember anything. That’s not too cool,” he told the official website.
“Hopefully it’s not too serious but of course a young boy in this situation is not too cool. Injuries after games like this in pre-season is the biggest problem obviously.”
Klavan could have broken his ankle following the horror tackle, but Klopp indicated he’s only suffered a knock, and he’ll likely be competing with Matip for a starting spot come the start of the campaign.
“I expect [Matip] to start the season,” Klopp continued.
“But for this, he has to train a little bit more. The first two-and-a-half weeks were really good, he became better and better and then he was out.
“Now I think it is a week or more he has been out. He was in a training group today and hopefully he can be back in team training as soon as possible. The season start at this moment is not in doubt.”
Thankfully Matip and Klavan should be back in action soon, but there’s no update yet on Grujic. The bang of heads looked really nasty, but we’re sure the club will take the necessary precautions and only recall him once he’s ready. You can be sure the AC Milan friendly in a few days’ time will come too soon.