Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp expects to be without skipper Jordan Henderson and defender Dejan Lovren in their Premier League opener against West Ham at Anfield. Both Henderson and Lovren are on holiday after a strenuous World Cup campaign. Klopp himself said that Henderson had to be convinced to take some time off after helping England reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Klopp said, “It was a hard fight to convince him that he needed a holiday.” “I knew it would happen. On the phone, I said ‘crazy’. ordan needs a holiday, so that means August 5 he will be back. Dejan had a party in Croatia and played a day later (than Henderson at the World Cup), so he will be back on August 6. That would mean five days’ training, after three weeks’ holiday.”
“I hope we are in a situation where we don’t need to think about using these two (against West Ham).” Teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold could feature in match against West Ham.
“With Trent, I have a special agreement,” said Klopp. “He wanted to be in earlier as well. As he’s very young, I said ‘OK, have two weeks’ holiday and then we’ll speak and see’. If you asked Trent, he would be good to join us in Evian (for their training camp).”
“But I’m not sure I will do that. I want to have them desperately but the season is really long.”
Liverpool are currently playing their pre-season friendlies and will next play Blackburn Rovers tomorrow before leaving for United States. There, the Reds will play at the International Champions Cup where they’ll play Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Manchester United.
