Liverpool are set to make eight changes to their starting XI against Chelsea after manager Jurgen Klopp fielded a second string squad in Sunday’s clash against Watford.
Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, left back Alberto Moreno and winger Philippe Coutinho were the only first team regulars involved in Sunday’s fixture. Klopp is set to make eight changes to his starting XI, but is likely to keep the aforementioned three players in the team, according to a report in the Daily Star.
Henderson, Origi nearing fitness
There is some good news in store for the Liverpool fans, with Klopp confirming that Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has started training once again. The 25 year old has been suffering from a knee injury, but Klopp has confirmed that the England international is back in training ahead of schedule.
The German manager also said that striker Divock Origi has also returned to training with Henderson. Although the duo will not play in the Chelsea or the West Brom fixtures, they are trying to get fit in time for the Europa League final against Sevilla.
“He [Origi] is already training, not with the team, but like Hendo. He’s on the pitch, he’s running, he’s passing and all this. It’s the same like with Hendo: day by day. We don’t have to make a decision,” Klopp was quoted as saying on Liverpool’s official website. “He’s [back] quicker than we thought, like it was with Emre, a really good job from all the therapists and the coaches. But we cannot force it, we take what we get.
“In this moment he is on a good way, a better way than maybe expected the day after the injury, but if the time is enough until next Wednesday, I don’t know.”
Preparation for the Europa League
The midweek Premier League match against Chelsea does not hold much significance to Liverpool with regards to their position in the Premier League. They are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League, with their best hope of attaining European action (through league position) next season is getting to the Europa League by beating Southampton to the seventh spot.
However, winning the Europa League will give them automatic qualification to the Champions League, which will obviously be more desirable for the Reds’s fans. On the other hand though, Liverpool will also want to do well against Chelsea, a team who they have not been able to beat at Anfield in the last four years. A win against Chelsea would be good preparation for the Europa League final.
