Jürgen Klopp’s Pre-Match Press Conference: Liverpool vs Toulouse

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp spoke to the media about several topics ahead of his side’s Europa League home fixture against Ligue 1 side Toulouse on Thursday, October 26 at 20:00 PM (UK time).

The German manager had updates on the shoulder surgery Andy Robertson underwent this past week as well as the fitness of Cody Gakpo who hobbled off at half-time in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in September.

“Yes, Robbo has had surgery and it all went well,” Klopp confirmed. “It all went as good as it could go so recovery starts after he wakes up. I think it happened this morning, so that is it. We don't know how long that will take but the first step is done and that is good.

"Cody has been in full training now since Sunday, which is good. It means he is available for the full squad and what we do that [information] we will see but that is good as well.”

While Klopp will most likely field a much-changed lineup as he usually does in the Europa League, he did insist that Darwin Núñez is fully fit as he praised the Uruguyuan for his good form this season after being subject to criticism in his debut year at Liverpool.

"He is just in a really good moment. Darwin, yes, there was [some time needed] necessary to adapt to a new country, new language, new team, all of these kinds of things. 

“All of that is long gone. He is in the middle of the team and everyone is really happy with him, I am very happy with him.”

The 24-year-old is expected to start in Thursday’s fixture having come off the bench in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Everton last Saturday as a win against Toulouse will most likely guarantee the Reds’ progression into the next stage of the European tournament.

Klopp insisted that the fixture against the Ligue 1 side is a “big one” as he aims to guide his side to the only trophy he hasn’t won since arriving at Liverpool in 2015.

“We have to make sure that we are really ready for the competition and the boys showed so far that they are really ready for the competition,” he added. “And that is what I want to see. Obviously we hope we will go long, long, long in this competition and for that we have to make all the decisive steps. Tomorrow night is a very big one."