Klopp: Youngster is ‘really close’ to starting games for LFC

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Jurgen Klopp has taken time to praise the contributions some of his squad players are making in training.

Following early exits in both the domestic cup competitions, it’s been difficult for the fringe players to get any minutes this term.

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The likes of Danny Ward and Ben Woodburn have hardly played, while Ragnar Klavan has barely been used since we signed Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.

But Klopp thinks Woodburn especially is ‘close’ to an opportunity.

“It’s really hard in the moment to make the squad,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.

“Wow, I’ve never had a situation like that with the quality of the players not being in the squad.

“They all have made really big steps. Dom Solanke was not in the squad but is in outstanding shape at the moment. Ragnar Klavan, unbelievable. Ben Woodburn makes steps and is really close to everything.

“It’s difficult, it’s getting more and more difficult, but that’s good for us of course.”

By beating Porto 5-0 away from home, Liverpool have earned the right to rotate the side at Anfield in a few weeks’ time.

It’s almost certain that Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, our three best players by some distance, will get a rest before the Manchester United game immediately afterwards.

This means a front-three of Woodburn, Danny Ings and maybe Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be a possibility.

Elsewhere, Alberto Moreno will likely get a run at left-back, with Klavan used alongside one other centre-half.

Interestingly, Nathaniel Clyne might return too. The fullback is back in training and the Porto match would be a perfect chance to ease him back into the fold.

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