LOSS OF STAR TRIO WILL NOT KILL OFF REDS
JURGEN KLOPP admits Liverpool won’t be the same team without their African stars – but insists they will have enough to stay in the title race.
After speculation was rubbished over whether the Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead because of rising Covid rates, the Reds boss is preparing to be without three of his best players at a crucial time.
Liverpool could lose Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for a month or more, including for a vital Premier League games at Leicester and Chelsea.
But Klopp said: “Yes, we knew and planned for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“We knew three would be qualified and be there and we knew at least two of them will go pretty far in the tournament.
“We know how much the three boys have helped us over the past three years. But you cannot always have the perfect solution, and this is far from perfect.
“But we have prepared for it and are quite confident we will find solutions.
“Can we play exactly the same kind of football?
“Probably not – but who cares? We have to play the football we are able to play then. We have to deal with it.”
Klopp stayed tightlipped over whether his planning included bringing in new signings in January to cover for Salah and Mane. He added: “We obviously don’t talk about signings now, especially in public, and unfortunately we are in public.
“Can you be prepared for something like that, properly, perfectly? Like a one for one replacement for Sadio, a like for like replacement for Mo, one replacement for Naby?
“That’s tricky in each situation so no. But am I happy with the squad? Yes. And we have options to play and still to play football.
“Look in football you can have a plan and win a football game, no plan and win – so it’s all possible.
The thing is that whoever plays in the period when the three boys are not here will have a plan and that gives us a chance to win a football game.”
Klopp also believes the next fortnight will be crucial to their title hopes, starting with Newcastle tonight. He said: “That is the most intense period, when we are all together, and this is what we have to deal with now.”
Jamaal Lascelles has been backed by boss Eddie Howe and will remain as Newcastle skipper.
The under-fire defender was criticised for his role in the 4-0 collapse to Leicester on Sunday, including conceding a controversial penalty.
Some fans called for him to be stripped of the captaincy after Callum Wilson had deputised.
Lascelles faces another difficult night against Liverpool but Toon boss Howe said: “I don’t give my team away but he certainly remains the captain and has my full support in that role.
“Jamal contributed to us in a lot of positive aspects.
“We were disappointed to concede four goals and everyone connected with the team, forward line or defence, has to shoulder that responsibility, not just our backline. I thought Jamal was unlucky with the penalty decision.”