KLOPP FORCES HENDO ON HOLS

JURGEN KLOPP admits he had to force Jordan Henderson to take a break after the World Cup.

Henderson helped England reach the semi-finals – so his season ended only last weekend.

And Klopp had to order him to put his feet up for three weeks.

The Anfield boss (right) said: “It was a hard fight to convince Hendo that he needed a holiday. I knew it would happen. And Jordan needs a holiday, so he’ll be back on August 5.”

Croatia defender Dejan Lovren and Belgium keeper Simon Mignolet will also miss Liverpool’s opening league game against West Ham on August 12, as they will return to training only a week before.

When Henderson (right) returns, he faces a battle with new, £43.7m midfielder Fabinho. Klopp said: “Hendo believes 100 per cent in training. He feels like he needs training every day, a bit like Millie (James Milner). “They are old-fashioned professionals, which I like. They shouldn’t be worried about losing their place because we’ll need them all.” Klopp will allow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, 19, to come back a week earlier than planned, owing to his young age and the fact he featured only once in the World Cup.

He added: “I want to have them desperately, but the season is really long. We had four players in the semis – we can deal with that.

“But Tottenham had nine players in the semis – I haven’t got a clue how they will do it.”