Klopp Everton press-conference: Ings could start Merseyside derby

Premier League
Saturday 07 April 2018 - 12:30 pm
Goodison Park
Everton0
0Liverpool
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Rooney off, Gueye on ↔️57'
Bolasie off, Calvert-Lewin on ↔️61'
68'↔️ Milner off, Oxlade-Chamberlain on
74'↔️ Mane off, Firmino on
Davies off, Baningime on ↔️79'
89'↔️ Ings off, Alexander-Arnold on
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Jurgen Klopp gave little information away about the overall team injury status as he prepares for an early weekend Merseyside derby away at Goodison.

After he responded to the Man City bus questions the attention turned to the Everton fixture.

The reds have suffered with defensive injuries, and saw Mo Salah withdrawn in the second half of the midweek Champions League quarter final.

And Mo was the focus of some of the media's questions.

'We have tried everything to make Mo Salah available.  Still 23 hours to go until we start so lets see what happens.

Klopp hasn't yet tasted defeat in a Merseyside derby, but with many supporters eyes on the second leg it may not be the level of importance usually given.  If Liverpool can collect 4 wins from their final 6 they will be guaranteed a place in next seasons Champions League and secure a top four finish.

'You wish you could prepare a game like this with one week training because the importance of football is all in peoples mind.  So the derby is the most important game for a lot of people.

'People have their dreams and expectations, but in this very special game we have to show our best and nobody cares how difficult it may be for one of the sides.

Klopp was unusually tight lipped about his team selection plans and the status of Liverpool's injuries.  When pressed on Danny Ings having never started under Klopp - he suggested it might be a good moment for the player.

He repeated the line that 'he didn't want to give too much away' however he hinted that he didn't have the luxury of rotating players due to the mini-injury crisis that Liverpool have.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arsene Wenger

On Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Klopp was asked about the players huge improvements since joining Liverpool on summer transfer deadline day.

'I think we had a lot of talks and Oxlade loved Arsene Wenger - they worked together for a long time and he never blamed Arsene Wenger for not improving him enough.  But sometimes it's about changing the circumstances.  Being in a different place can improve things if you are aware of your problems.

'From the first day he was ready for hard work and so because of these new things, a different set of football, that gives you the opportunity to do things in a new way and that obviously helped him and you can see he made the next step with us.

'He is still an outstanding talent and still a lot of things to improve.  No problem with that.

But what does he think about Everton's performances this season.

'I have nothing to say about their season it's not my job.  I know they will be motivated for this game.  They have a good home record.

'They are a really good team and with Bolassie back, Walcott new signing, Tosun in a good moment - they're all together apart from maybe Sigurdsson.  I think each Evertonian thinks at Goodison there must be a few extra percent of desire and stuff like this so we must be ready for that.  But I hope that it's a football game - we have had hard challenges in every derby since I have been here.  We need to be on fire again.

Klopp was asked if he had one eye on the Man City game when it comes to selecting his team.

'You can't work in this job unless you only think about the next game, not the one after.  A player can get ill - you never know.  Rotation is never about the next game - it's always about (the effects of) the last game.'

'If a player is not 100% they will not be involved.  They can't be involved.'

For the second consecutive weekend, Liverpool get the Premier League games underway at 12:30 on Saturday lunchtime.

VIDEO: Jurgen Klopp pre-Everton press conference

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