Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reassured Adam Lallana he still has a key part to play for the remainder of the season.
It has been a frustrating campaign for the midfielder, who made his comeback in November after three months out through thigh injury before sustaining a muscle tear in January that Klopp believes, could have been avoided.
Lallana has not started a match since the FA Cup win over Everton in early January but is expected to begin Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Porto, with the Reds already leading 5-0 from the first-leg tie in Portugal.
The England international has been restricted to substitute appearances but Klopp has reassured that the midfielder is very much part of his plans this season.
“Absolutely. Even with the competition we have it is usually not a problem for Adam because he is so important to us but he needed time,” Klopp was quoted by the Guardian.
“Life is to learn from your mistakes and we all have to learn. Adam, myself and the medical department – we made this mistake. He looked fit but obviously, he was not. Two little setbacks, not the biggest setbacks, but in and out, in and out, and that makes no sense. Now we have to build with him.
“He is coming closer and closer but of course now he has no rhythm, which is another thing. We still need him, we will use him still. He is cool, he sees the quality of the team is good, but he is always one of the guys who push the level in training on to the next level because he is always so intense in all the things he is doing. The time will come for him 100%. Whether it is tomorrow, I don’t know.”
Klopp, whose team are virtually through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and have a Premier League trip to Manchester United on Saturday, is adamant he will not rest on his laurels against the Portuguese giants on Tuesday.
“You have to show up or anything else leads to more problems. If you change anything it is for this game and not because we play Manchester United. You must do your best, show respect and keep the momentum going,” he added.
I feel our manager will rest the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Andrew Robertson against Porto to keep them fresh for the big game against the Red Devils on Saturday.
