Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he wants Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk to feature against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday but he has “no idea” whether the injured trio would play any part this weekend.
Speaking to reporters at a pre-match press conference, Klopp also said “there is no chance” they will take any risks despite Salah’s race for the Premier League Golden Boot against Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min.
Liverpool can win the title with a victory at Anfield if Manchester City fail to beat Aston Villa.
Salah (groin) and Van Dijk (knee) both limped off during Liverpool’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea last weekend, while Fabinho was forced off with a hamstring injury after 30 minutes of the club’s win over Southampton on Tuesday evening.
Klopp is confident, however, that the trio will be fit to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28.
“What we do with them for the weekend I have no idea,” the 54-year-old manager said.
“I actually understand 100 per cent the goalscoring battle with Heung-min Son but we have no chance that we take any risks. But Mo doesn’t want to take any risks, there is no doubt about that.
“It looks good but the boys make steps and we will see. My preferred solution would be that they all could play at the weekend for rhythm reasons, stuff like this, or at least could be on the bench and then we can bring them on or not, but they are involved.
“But if not, then we take it from there. I cannot say 100 per cent.”
He also confirmed that Joe Gomez’s ankle injury was not serious.
“Yesterday we had a reassuring further scan, but like we thought after the game, we were lucky. It was a proper knock but nothing happened.
“It was the leg where he was injured so I understand 100 per cent that everybody was a bit concerned – I was until I saw Joey’s face in the dressing room. I think most of the time we know best about our body.
“The result of this scan is not here yet but we don’t expect anything really different, it was just reassuring, it’s all fine and from there we go. If it’s fine then it’s about pain, how can you deal with pain, and then we will see what Joe can do today or tomorrow.”
Divock Origi’s exit from Liverpool was also confirmed, with The Athletic reporting on Thursday that the striker had agreed personal terms with AC Milan. The Belgian has earned a place in Liverpool history with famous goals against Tottenham, Barcelona, and Everton.
“I expect Div to get a special farewell,” Klopp said. “He will forever be a Liverpool legend. It’s been a pure joy to work with him. Wherever he goes, he will be successful. Everyone loves him.”
Kick-off against Wolves is at 16.00 BST (08:00 PT, 11:00 ET) on Sunday May 22.
(Photo: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
