Klopp misses trusted deputy for huge week

Jurgen Klopp will be without his trusted lieutenant Zeljko Buvac as the Liverpool manager prepares for a “massive” week.

The Bosnian, who has worked with Klopp for 17 years, is spending some time away from the first team from now until the end of the season for personal reasons.

Speculation began circulating on Sunday the Bosnian had quit but the club have dismissed that by stressing Buvac remains a Liverpool employee and his position is not affected by this absence.

It is understood the club considers the matter to be private and therefore will respect that privacy by not makany further comment.

Klopp is unlikely to offer any more on the matter at his pre-match press conference when the team arrive in the Italian capital today.

It is not the best preparation for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma in the Stadio Olimpico, which is followed by a crucial Premier League encounter at Chelsea on Sunday.

The Reds hold a 5-2 lead from the first leg against the Italians, while in the league they sit six points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand.

“Again, two massive games - what a season,” Klopp told liverpoolfc.com.

“You play the whole season (and) we created a basis and now we have to finish it. There are a few things to do.

“You work for that the whole season, it’s really exciting.

“Let’s play the next game, try to make the best of it, then we’ll see.”

It will have to be achieved without assistant coach Buvac - whom Klopp has described as ‘The Brain’ of his backroom team - who was on the touchline for Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Stoke but will not be travelling to Italy.

There are still some concerns about the safety of the 5,000 fans heading to Rome after 53-year-old Sean Cox was attacked before the first leg at Anfield.

Arrangements are being made and a plan has been put in place and guidance issued to supporters to try to minimise the chance of trouble. ing