Jurgen Klopp raises Arsenal concern as Liverpool boss offers injury update on four players | Football | Sport

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Jurgen Klopp raises Arsenal concern as Liverpool boss offers injury update on four players | Football | Sport

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Arsenal are a much better side than they were last season ahead of this weekend’s Premier League showdown between the two clubs. The division’s two leading lights will face off at Anfield on Saturday, with the victors set to receive the upper hand in the race for this season’s domestic honours.

Arsenal led the way in the Premier League for much of last season but were eventually pipped by Manchester City, who chased down an eight-point gap in order to get their hands on the trophy. The Gunners have since improved their squad with the signings of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, leading Klopp to view them as a significant threat to Liverpool’s hopes of Premier League glory.

« We play a super strong team, » said the Reds manager in Friday’s press conference. « They are even better than last season. It’s a massive game, great. It’s great to meet them. We have to make sure we make it a proper home game, a proper Anfield experience.

« They looked like that [title contenders] last year. Our game here with them, they were outstanding until we found a way into the game. In the end, we should have won it. They bring in Rice and Havertz, that doesn’t make you worse. They have a good mix of physicality and technique. They are well-coached, well-drilled. »

Klopp went on to issue an update on Liverpool’s injured players, with Andy Robertson expected to remain sidelined until the new year as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder. Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota will also be unavailable to face Arsenal but Ryan Gravenberch could be involved after taking part in full training this week.

« He [Robertson] is doing well, » added Klopp. « We need to be patient. He can’t do all the physical work yet. t’s a short time until he’s back. We hope it’s January but we don’t know. »

When quizzed on Gravenberch, the Liverpool boss replied: « He’s back. Macca and Diogo are getting closer but not ready for tomorrow. »

Klopp was also grilled on his comments earlier in the week, when he criticised the flat atmosphere at Anfield during Liverpool’s victory over West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. He urged quieter fans to give their ticket to somebody else for the Arsenal game in order to ensure a noisy reception, but clarified on Thursday that his comments were not intended to be taken literally.

« I can tell our people, » explained Klopp. « I don’t order atmospheres. we had two home games in a row and 62 [shots]. Imagine if we’d have scored [more]. It’s my feeling directly after the game. I turned around and missed a chance and people were flat.

« I said ‘give your ticket to someone else’ but people tell me it’s not that easy. I didn’t mean it [literally]. I cannot change that not, I said we need Anfield. That is 100 per cent true and I can’t wait for the first whistle. »

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Cet article est apparu en premier en ANGLAIS sur https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1848352/Jurgen-Klopp-Arsenal-Liverpool-injury-update-Premier-League-news


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