Klopp won’t risk star duo Salah and Van Dijk

JURGEN KLOPP will not risk Mo Salah or Virgil van Dijk for tonight’s crucial match against Southampton at St Mary’s. Salah has not recovered from the groin injury that forced him off during the first half of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea and Van Dijk, who was substituted at the end of 90 minutes, will also be absent with Klopp refusing to take a risk on the fitness of either player. He is confident, however, that both men will be ready to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28. ‘They are both okay,’ said Klopp. ‘The target for both would be that they could be involved again at the weekend (against Wolves). Properly involved. ‘They would have to be perfect for the game, and if not then we take each day afterwards. It is very positive about them. I have no doubt about the final. I am pretty sure about the Wolves game — but not Southampton.’ A win this evening would take Liverpool to within a point of leaders Manchester City and if they avoid defeat, there would still be a slim chance of being able to win the title on the final day and Klopp has promised they will ‘go for it with everything we have’. The hunger within Liverpool’s squad to get more trophies is huge and James Milner, who collected the tenth honour of his career at the weekend, explained he has been drumming in the importance to his team-mates of the need to savour this campaign. ‘I went in the dressing room and all the lads are straight on their phones,’ he said. ‘I was like, “We’ve just won the FA Cup!” You’re lucky to play in a final; you’re lucky to be a footballer in the first place. To play in finals and win ten medals? If you said that at the start of my career, I’d have taken it.’ Klopp will look to strengthen his squad this summer but has ruled out signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe after admitting the club would not be able to meet the financial demands. The 23-year-old is out of contract this summer and is expected to leave PSG, with Real Madrid the most likely destination. Klopp revealed that Liverpool discussed the prospect of making a deal work but says it is not going to happen this summer — even though France’s Player of the Year is available on a free transfer. ‘Of course we are interested in Kylian Mbappe — we are not blind,’ said Klopp. When asked if Liverpool had made direct contact with Mbappe, he added: ‘Actually, I have nothing to say about that but between Kylian and Liverpool, it’s all set, it’s all fine.’

Kick-off: 7.45pm, St Mary’s Stadium. TV: LIVE on Sky Sports. Referee: Martin Atkinson.