Jurgen Klopp has reiterated he will make changes for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Southampton on Tuesday night following the Reds’ FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both limped off with injuries at Wembley as Liverpool again required penalties to overcome Thomas Tuchel’s side. And following a gruelling 120 minutes, the German confirmed he will have to rotate his side against the Saints despite knowing a victory will take the Reds a point behind league-leaders Man City following their weekend draw with West Ham.
“This process is not finished yet because we only played the 120 minutes two days ago,” he told reporters. “We see the boys today and I have to make a lot of decisions about the team.
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“They are pretty much sleeping on the massage beds. If that happened in the first week of the season, we would talk differently. But this is now game 60. We have to be really careful, that’s clear.
“But I can promise we will line up a team for any one reason. To try and win the game at Southampton, as difficult as it is. That is the job to do and we will have to see who is able to help. The 30 extra minutes made a big difference. We have to see.
“After 120 minutes, we have to make sure we don't go nuts with them. We will see. In the end it will be a top team and Southampton will try to beat us. But we will try to beat them as well.”
He continued: “We don’t finish the season tomorrow, that’s not our last game of the season. When did Southampton have the last game before we play tomorrow? I think it was 10-12 days? It’s completely different.
“They might lack rhythm but if we make changes, we lose that advantage of having rhythm as well. They are completely fresh. We cannot go there and fall into this game.
“Southampton are a really well-drilled team, full of energy. They didn’t get the results they wanted but now they have their last home game- of the season. What would you do if you lost two or three games too much in the last few weeks?
“Last home game, the impression you leave before you go on summer holidays has to be a good one. This is a high-energetic, well-organised team we face. Defending well, press like crazy and counter attack with all they have.
“And don’t make silly fouls because Ward-Prowse kicks the ball from pretty much each corner into each goal. That’s the challenge we face.
“Imagine we go there with eight players who played 120 minutes. It makes no sense. That’s why we have to make changes, I don't know how many but I will talk to the players.”
And while Klopp admitted he will make changes, he confirmed that Fabinho remains sidelined after limping off with a hamstring injury in Liverpool’s victory over Aston Villa last week.
The Brazilian is hopeful of recovering in time for the Champions League final, however, and despite his continued absence, his manager confirmed he is making good progress in his recovery.
“Progressing very well,” Klopp confirmed. “But he will not be involved tomorrow.”
