Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE DON’T HAVE TO GET ON OUR BIKES
Klopp gets the green light to finish Austrian training camp, but suffers Ox blow
JURGEN KLOPP has confirmed that Liverpool have been given the green light to finish their pre-season training camp.
Liverpool will be exempt from the rule, which came into force this morning, that people returning to the UK from Austria must selfisolate for 14 days.
Klopp and his squad have been given special dispensation by the FA because they are classed as elite athletes and they have been in their own bubble since arriving in the Alps a week ago.
The Liverpool boss is delighted the Reds can play friendlies against Stuttgart today and Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday before returning to England for next Saturday’s Community Shield against Arsenal.
“We are in our own bubble, we do nothing to put anybody in danger, and we focus on football,” said Klopp. “In four or five days we will be back in England and we will finish preparations to play our first important game against Arsenal.”
One player missing from that clash will be former Gunner Alex Oxlade-chamberlain (circle), who suffered a knee injury during training that could keep him out for the start of the new season.
“It’s really unfortunate,” Klopp said. “It’s pretty similar to what Jordan Henderson had. He’ll miss pre-season and the Arsenal game for sure, and then we’ll see.”
Klopp, who has been putting his champions through double training sessions most days, has allowed them to enjoy bike rides against the breathtaking backdrop of the Austrian mountainside.
“We found this hotel here and they have done an incredible job,” said the German, whose side take on new boys Leeds in their Premier League opener at Anfield.
“We’ve trained, apart from two days, twice every day, which makes it intense. A training camp is very important to focus on preparation. We train a lot, speak a lot, eat the right things, and sleep enough.”