Klopp
The Liverpool boss has said he is still awaiting the results of a scan on Philippe Coutinho’s ankle.
The Brazilian underwent a scan on his right ankle on Monday after he was carried off on a stretcher in the 34th minute of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday, following a clash with Didier Ndong.
A source told ESPN FC on Sunday that the “likelihood” of Coutinho’s injury was ankle ligament damage.
Speaking at a news conference at Melwood on Monday afternoon to preview Tuesday night’s EFL Cup quarterfinal with Leeds United, Klopp said he had no information about how long his No. 10 would be out for.
“You know about Phil and that the scan is this afternoon,” Klopp said. “What I can say is that for sure it’s too long because the best thing would be that he’s not out. That’s not really likely.
“We have to wait for the final scan and then we know how long it will be probably. We have to take it like it is.”
Klopp has ruled Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana out of the midweek tie with injury, while he will wait and see on the fitness of Roberto Firmino, who took a kick to the calf in the Sunderland game.
“Adam is in a very good way — close to team training but that means, in the same moment, [he is] not ready for the game,” the Reds boss added. “Daniel is not in team training so that means the same.
“Roberto, we have to wait. I know yesterday it was still painful. That’s something we have to wait for, how he feels today. I think it will be OK, but I’m not sure at the moment.
“How it always is after this period and after an intense game against Sunderland, [there are] a few knocks here and there, so we have to wait until this afternoon to training and then we make the lineup.”
Simon Mignolet, meanwhile, will start in goal for Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night as he keeps his starting berth in the competition.
The Belgian has found himself as second-choice goalkeeper behind Loris Karius in recent months, but impressed during the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round of the EFL Cup.
However, Klopp was unsure on who else would be starting for his side against Garry Monk’s Championship outfit.
“If nothing happens, Simon will play, 100 percent.” Klopp said.
On team selection, he added: “I have no idea in this moment. Because when I say we need to have a look at the boys and how they feel, I have to talk to them.
“This year everybody can say that we don’t have the intensity of European football and all that stuff, but when you are in the rhythm it’s different. We are not in this rhythm. We have it sometimes but then we need to listen to the players and figure out if they are ready or not. That’s not about attitude.
“It is not allowed to take any risk. It’s really only about having the lineup which can stand the intensity of the game because Leeds is in a really good moment and they are a football-playing side. They will force us into a lot of things. We need to work hard in this game, there’s no alternative. The players need to be fit for this.
“That’s what we have to decide from now on and I don’t have to make it until tomorrow [at] five o’clock or something.”
