“It’s a wonderful story, it’s really deserved” Klopp heaps praise on injury-prone Liverpool star

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed the current squad at his disposal is the most talented he has ever worked with. The Merseyside outfit trounced Portuguese giants Porto 5-0 last week in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. And by doing so, they have virtually have put a foot in the quarterfinals ahead of the second-leg at Anfield in March.

Klopp, who won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund has such a wealth of options to pick from but admits he finds it difficult at times to decide which players to include and which ones to leave out.

Despite selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January and subsequently failing to sign the Brazilian’s replacement, the German manager insists he is happy with the current squad as the Reds continue to be ruthless in the attack.

“It’s really hard at the moment to make the squad,” Klopp told LFCTV (h/t Daily Star).

“Wow, I’ve never had a situation like that with the quality of the players not being in the squad. They all have made really big steps. Dom Solanke was not in the squad but is in outstanding shape at the moment.

“Ragnar Klavan, unbelievable. Ben Woodburn makes steps and is really close to everything. It’s difficult, it’s getting more and more difficult, but that’s good for us of course.”

Danny Ings made his Champions League bow against Porto after returning from back-to-back serious knee injuries in the last two campaigns. The outing against Porto was the 25-year-old’s 6th appearance in all competitions this season and he marked his Champions League debut by providing an assist.

Klopp had some cheerful words for Ings, who is now back to full fitness, raring to go.

“Danny is in fantastic shape,” the manager added.

“It always takes time. Now, after two-and-a-half years, he can play in the Champions League. It’s a wonderful story, it’s really deserved.”

After their stunning victory in Portugal, the Reds travelled to Marbella for a warm-weather training campaign. Klopp will hope the training sessions in Spain revitalises the entire group and pump them up ahead of a busy final few months of the season.

And after a much-needed break, Liverpool are back in action on Saturday as they host West Ham United in the Premier League. Let’s continue our push for a top-four finish with a win over the Hammers.