Jürgen Klopp met with the media ahead of the Reds' (April 4th) matchup with Chelsea. Among the topics discussed were the Blues' managerial change, the need for a response from Liverpool along with providing an injury update.
The match will mark the first game in charge for interim manager Bruno Saltor, so Klopp offered his thoughts on how a new boss might change the dynamic of the match.
“I am pretty sure Chelsea, the players, want to show a reaction, whatever, it always is,” he said. “I think apart from that there is maybe rotation a little bit – Kante is back, other players, Mason [Mount] was injured I think, was on the bench first time [at the weekend], might play. So, line-up-wise they could change system, I don't know. They changed system during the season but we expect actually pretty similar to the last games."
After a 4-1 loss to Manchester City, Klopp said his team needs to respond well in a match where three points are vital.
“As badly as it's possible, we need a result, definitely,” he said.”So, again, super-strange game [at Man City]; OK first half, awful second half. We said it. It's unacceptable but happened anyway, and now we have to make sure we are ready. That's it.”
Klopp added that there were no new injuries from the last match, but said due to the short time between matches, that none of the players with injuries would be available. Thiago and Luis Diaz are in training, however, as is Naby Keïta. Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajčetić have been ruled out for the rest of the season.
“As much as we want him to be back, we still have to give him time,” Klopp said of Daiz. “Let me say, two days after a game pretty much everybody is a doubt but I didn't hear now anything that somebody is definitely out; maybe a few late calls, that's it.”
Jürgen Klopp was short and to the point today. The Reds need a win. He does not see the Chelsea managerial change having that much of an effect on the dynamic of the match aside from possible minor tactical changes. Unfortunately, Liverpool will not have any players back from injury, so heavy legs could be a factor in the second half.