Klopp keeping options open over Wilson
FRANK Lampard says Derby County have to be prepared for every eventuality concerning Harry Wilson’s loan from Liverpool.
Wilson is on a season-long stay with the Rams from the Premier League club, who have a recall clause in early January.
Lampard is hoping the 21-yearold Welsh international is with Derby for the rest of the campaign and Liverpool have no current plans to recall Wilson because they are delighted with how the loan is going and with the player’s progress.
But when asked about what could happen to Wilson in January, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was keeping his options open.
Injuries to defenders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip has left Liverpool short on defensive cover, and if something similar happened in Wilson’s position, that could change things.
“Our situation is like this - if you would have asked me two weeks before if we’ll do anything in the transfer market, I would have said ‘probably not,’” said Klopp
“Now we have two centre-halves left. Will we do something? It’s not really likely because they (Gomez and Matip) are not out for a long time. But we have to judge it anew.
“And that’s exactly the same with Harry. If something happens in an offensive wing position, why should I say today, ‘100 per cent we will not do it’? Harry Wilson
“That’s the only thing Derby had to accept in the moment they signed the contract. They have to wait until the last second and we can decide.
“But we don’t want to take him away. Only if we really need him would we trigger that option. Otherwise, he’s there in a fantastic team.”
When informed of Klopp’s comments, Lampard said: “I wouldn’t expect Jurgen Klopp to say anything else. It is exactly what I would say if I was him.
“It is a matter of fact. We knew what we went into with Harry.
“I think from what he (Klopp) said there, they are happy with where he (Wilson) is at.
“Of course, he mentioned injuries and we know that can happen but the good news is he is happy with where Harry is at. I am also and so is Harry. That is good news for us.
“Football will surprise you in a million ways, not just Harry potentially going back in January, so we have to be prepared for every eventuality.” DERBY Trailblazers make their longest trip of the season to face Worthing Thunder tonight (7.30pm) in their final fixture before the Christmas and new year break.
Trailblazers (6-4) go in to the match off the back of a home defeat to Thames Valley Cavaliers which saw them slip to sixth in the table.
Assistant coach Paul Bowen says Derby have been working to improve their efficiency in two areas which cost them the chance of victoryin that contest.
“We have to find ways to do a better job on the glass and also to improve our perimeter shooting,” he said.
“That said, we are looking forward to the trip to Worthing and hope to close the year out with a win against what a side which will be very tough opposition.”
Under the guidance of playercoach Josh Goddard, Worthing have recruited a core of talented and experienced players and have made a fine start to the season, sitting second in the NBL Division One table with a 9-2 record.
Their defeats came on the road to Solent Kestrels (10-0) and, more recently, at home to Loughborough Riders (6-2) but they recovered to beat winless Manchester Magic away last weekend.
The American duo of Zaire Taylor and Alex Owumi both have extensive experience in the BBL and have now re-established the successful partnership they enjoyed with London Lions between 2015-17.
This season, Taylor has been averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, while Owumi registers 22.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per outing.
Dual national shooting guard Jorge Ebanks can also be a handful to contain, as can athletic point guard Brendan Okoronkwo, who nets 15.4 points and gathers 5.9 rebounds per game while running the floor very efficiently.
Add to that, the likes of Tom Ward, who can be a deadly threepoint shooter, and it is clear that Derby’s task will not be an easy one.
Derby Trailblazers Women (4-1) round off the first half their season at home to unbeaten Nottingham Trent University (4-0) today in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The game tips off at 12.15pm at the Clarence Wiggins Sports Centre.