Liverpool FC players enjoyed a relaxed training session at Melwood as they continued their preparations for much-anticipated Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday.
The last league game was a comfortable 5-1 away win against Brighton, before we entered the Champions League round of 16 as group winners, in style, with a thumping Spartak Moscow 7-0 on Wednesday. The derby against Sam Allardyce’s Everton is a crunch game and we would want to keep in touch with the Manchester clubs, who face each other at Old Trafford tomorrow.
In the training session, skipper Jordan Henderson looked all business. Henderson was rested in the game against Spartak but is expected to start against Everton.
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Adam Lallana could be in line to return, as the midfielder looked buoyant in the training. He was seen preparing for the game on Friday having missed Liverpool’s last three matches. Alberto Moreno, who got substituted at half-time on Wednesday, was not pictured at Melwood after Klopp confirmed the left-back will miss the game due to an ankle injury.
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“We need to have a further assessment. I cannot say much about it,” Klopp told reporters (via Mirror). “It’s a very rare thing. So far the specialists aren’t sure [how long he’ll be out for].
“Not Everton, but if it’s in a week or so or a little bit longer, we have to wait for that. There’s a little damage around the tendons,” our gaffer added.
Moreno’s likely replacement at left-back, Andrew Robertson was seen participating in the work out in a cheerful mood.
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Centre-back Joel Matip didn’t train due to injury, but it was a bit shocking to not spot playmaker Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian, who captained the side against Spartak, scored his first-ever Liverpool hat-trick that night but was not seen at Melwood.
Egyptian Mohamed Salah has taken the Premier League by storm since his return this summer and was seen having a chat with third-choice goalkeeper Danny Ward. Salah is the top-scorer this season and would aim to get his name on the score-sheet again on Sunday.
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Danny Ings was in all smiles as he continues giving his best to get back into Klopp’s first-team plans following the recovery from a nasty knee injury. He was seen chasing the ball in the centre with Jon Flanagan, James Milner and Henderson surrounding him.
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Milner clearly enjoyed a joke but looked focused during the shuttle sprints. With Moreno out, one could expect him to fill the vacancy against Everton at Anfield.
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Everton being Everton are at 10th place in the table with 18 points. However, given that this is a derby and this is football, it would be criminal on our part to underestimate our opponents based on current form. All I expect our team to do is go out there and play to the best of their ability.
