Klopp confident Van Dijk will be ready
LIVERPOOL are confident Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum can shake off minor knocks in time to face Porto in today’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Anfield, manager Juergen Klopp said.
The Dutch international duo were among a number of players with problems following Friday’s 3-1 Premier League victory at Southampton that left the title-chasing Merseyside club top of the standings with five matches remaining.
“We had little problems after the game... Wijnaldum a little back problem... I think even Virg from a fall on the ground. But they all should be OK, hopefully,” Klopp said.
Centre back Joe Gomez, who has been sidelined since December after having surgery for a leg fracture, could feature while playmaker Adam Lallana is still recovering from a muscle issue.
“Gomez won’t play unless he has to. Lallana has just a little thing that kept him out for the weekend and maybe for tomorrow,” Klopp added.
Liverpool dominated Bayern Munich last month, sealing a 3-1 away win after a goalless draw at Anfield to move into the quarter finals.
“After the Bayern game everyone spoke about the 0-0 here and everyone said that wasn’t enough. It was clear we had a chance in Munich and we used it. Now we have to face Porto with the same respect,” the German said.
“We’re on fire at the moment, you see it in training. We want to write a few proper things in this season’s book... it’ll be a tough one but that’s how it should be.”
Liverpool beat Porto 5-0 on aggregate in last season’s round of 16, but Klopp stressed they should not underestimate their rivals.
“We didn’t want Porto, to be honest... people with a proper idea about football didn’t. That’s the truth. But nobody wanted Liverpool,” he added. “It’ll be tough but we’re really looking forward to it.” | Reuters