Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement
Soccer

Liverpool to be without Matip, Keita and Thiago as Champions League returns to Anfield

Liverpool host Danish side FC Midtjylland at Anfield on Tuesday night in Group D of the UEFA Cham...



Liverpool to be without Matip,...
Soccer

Liverpool to be without Matip, Keita and Thiago as Champions League returns to Anfield

Liverpool host Danish side FC Midtjylland at Anfield on Tuesday night in Group D of the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool's last European game at Anfield was one of the very last fixtures to go ahead before the coronavirus pandemic brought the sport to a halt.

The then champions crashed out to Athletico Madrid after losing 3-2 after extra-time on Merseyside.

In his pre-match press conference, manager Jürgen Klopp looked back on the week that will feel like a lifetime ago to many.

"It was a strange time just before the lockdown.

"We love this competition.  It's Champions League, it's Anfield, no fans, but it's still the competition we love.

"We have to show that tomorrow night again. Let's try to give it a proper try."

Klopp's side opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Ajax last week thanks to a Nicolás Tagliafico own goal.

Much of the post-match attention however was not on the result but more so Liverpool's performance without goalkeeper Alisson and Virgil van Dijk as they prepare for a season without their defender after he sustained a cruciate injury in the Merseyside derby.

Klopp was happy with how his players represented themselves without two crucial figures.

"Last week was not the best week of our lives.

"It's all about showing a reaction and I liked the response.

"The boys were really ready to work hard again - real resilience, digging in, fighting for results."

The Reds were boosted by the return of Alisson in their 2-1 Premier League win over Sheffield United at the weekend.

However, they will be without Joel Matip, Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara on Tuesday night.

When asked on Monday afternoon if they will be available Klopp was not optimistic.

"I don't think so. It's still what I said last week, we look day by day, but it looks like we'll need a few more days.

"So for tomorrow night, they will probably not be ready."

No opposition is ever given much of a chance on a European night at Anfield in normal times.

However, the lack of fans will be interesting in terms of how Klopp's side will perform.

He says he's expecting a difficult tie with the Danes earning their right to be in Europe's elite competition.

"They are a bit more direct in their build-up, really experienced defenders, speed on the wings, physicality up front.

"They have a clear plan.

"We need to show that we are ready for a proper fight."

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Champions League Jurgen Klopp Liverpool FC