Klopp denies quick returns caused Liverpool injuries

LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has rejected suggestions that Liverpool rushed players back too soon after Trent AlexanderArnold, Thiago Alcantara and Dominik Szoboszlai all suffered setbacks after returning to action.

Alexander-Arnold will miss the League Cup final against Chelsea later this month because of a knee problem that recurred in last week’s win over Burnley for the Premier League leaders.

Thiago faces another spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury following an appearance as a late substitute in the defeat against Arsenal, while Szoboszlai has hurt his hamstring again.

“I got the news that there was a discussion we might have forced Trent back,” Liverpool manager Klopp said on Friday.

“He had two setbacks and it is really unfortunate, no one wants that. But different cases, different scenarios and as long as I’m here we never forced anyone back and we will never do.

“We work in a highperformance area and if you have the same injury you are fit after three days and another guy after four weeks.”

Klopp, whose team travel to Brentford on Saturday, said the players had been ready when they were passed fit to play.

“We can never know if it would have happened anyway or whether it was something before,” he added. “Very unlucky and unfortunate.

“It is not great but it says nothing about the quality of anyone. The world we are living in it is always immediately ‘Medical department? I’m not sure about that’ but it is nothing to do with that.

“We have to bring the boys as back as soon as possible but never sooner than they are ready from our point of view.”