Klopp sheds light on Emre Can’s injury after early substitution

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Jurgen Klopp admits the early signs suggest Emre Can’s injury is not serious following his early exit in Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Watford.

The German was substituted after 27 minutes and was seen clutching his back as he was led straight down the tunnel ahead of treatment.

Can’s absence didn’t prove costly, but will be a minor concern as Klopp strives to preserve his players for a defining Premier League run-in and April’s Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.

It seems the decision to haul Can off was simply precautionary with upcoming fixtures in the back of Klopp’s mind.

“[It is a] back [injury]. He doesn’t think, and I don’t think, it is too serious but it was too serious to continue,” the Reds’ boss told Liverpoolfc.com.

“He had that problem a little bit during the week; we gave him one day of extra recovery. But he thought it would work and he trained normally yesterday.”

“It was one header and maybe because of the temperature in the muscle – it is a muscle thing. But it should not be that serious and he will go to the national team I think, and have their treatment.”

Four goals from Mohamed Salah and a superb finish from Roberto Firmino ensured Can wasn’t missed.

The 24-year-old has been a prominent midfield option amid Klopp’s period of team rotation, starting each of Liverpool’s last 13 league games.

He had impressed in the absence of captain Jordan Henderson in that period, contributing to mounting frustration over his likely summer departure.

Why he wouldn’t want to be a long-term component in Jurgen Klopp’s flourishing Anfield project remains a puzzle.

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