As Liverpool prepare to take on Luton Town at Anfield on Wednesday night, manager Jurgen Klopp promised “no excuses” with the side having to contend with a growing injury list.
With Alisson, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota joining the casualty list this week, in addition to the recent sidelining of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai, the coach must now turn to the club’s youth academy for reinforcements.
With a potential run of eight games in 26 days, including Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, Klopp, speaking in his pre-match press conference, said he is embracing the challenge and is confident in the depth of his squad.
“I always had to be flexible, always,” he said. “It’s not a real problem, to be honest. As long as you have the players available, you use the boys; you know what they can do.”
The German added: “We said it before, there are 5,000 different ways to win a football game; you only have to find one. That should always be possible, especially at home where we can, if we all are ready, generate a dynamic where people can grow above themselves.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ACADEMY
Klopp went on to acknowledge the crucial role played by academy graduates this season, mentioning defenders Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley as notable contributors.
Looking ahead, Klopp hinted at the possibility of more youngsters stepping up to fill the void left by injured senior players.
“We are where we are because of them; because the boys really delivered,” he said. “We will see how many of them we will have to use and will give the opportunity.”
The manager then named five players who could be in line for minutes against Luton tomorrow.
“We still have options there, definitely… players who showed already what they can do like James [McConnell] or Bobby [Clark],” he said, before describing Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns and Trey Nyoni – who have been “in or around” the squad – as “massive talents”.
With Liverpool in the midst of a title race and still competing on four fronts, Reds fans will be hoping that these youngsters, if they feature against Luton, can continue to step up to the required level.