Jurgen Klopp provides concerning Jota & Phillips updates & fires warning to Steven Gerrard ahead of Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon vs Aston Villa at 3 pm UK time.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, for the most part, head into this game well-rested following a largely fringe squad seeing off AC Milan in the Champions League earlier this week.
Only Alisson, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane started that game from Liverpool’s usual elven. Vs Villa, though, Klopp is expected to recall all of his top stars.
The game, which will be the first time Steve Gerrard faces Liverpool as a manager, is of huge importance to Liverpool in their hunt for the Premier League.
Liverpool have lost just once all season, but they remain second in the PL due to the impressive form of Manchester City and Chelsea. And, with just two points separating the top three at present, Liverpool really cannot afford to drop any points this weekend.
Jurgen Klopp on Gerrard, Jota & Phillips
Ahead of the game at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp would speak to the media on Friday.
When doing so, the German would speak on Gerrard returning to face his former club:
“I know [Gerrard] said ‘no sentiment’, he’s an experienced coach, but he has no idea how it will feel when he steps into the stadium/dugout. I had a similar thing first time I went back to Mainz.”
Klopp: “I know [Gerrard] said ‘no sentiment’, he’s an experienced coach, but he has no idea how it will feel when he steps into the stadium/dugout. I had a similar thing first time I went back to Mainz.”#LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) December 10, 2021
Klopp continued by firing something of a warning to Gerrard, who has had a positive start to life at Villa
“It has been a proper start, but none of his four games were against us…”
Klopp on Villa under Gerrard
“It has been a proper start, but none of his four games were against us…”#LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) December 10, 2021
Klopp says Diogo Jota hasn’t trained this week after feeling something after Wolves. Could train today.
Origi is fine
Nat Phillips out for 4-5 weeks with fractured cheekbone.#LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) December 10, 2021
With Roberto Firmino still not back from injury, not having Jota fit would be a big blow for Liverpool ahead of the hectic festive period.
