We are still Liverpool – Klopp not using excuses amid injury woes

Jurgen Klopp insisted Liverpool would not use injuries as an excuse, saying the club’s status meant they were still expected to win.

Liverpool have endured an injury crisis to begin the season, but are second in the Premier League and have reached the last 16 in the Champions League.

In a boost, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita returned to training on Friday, two days before the champions host Wolves.

Klopp said there were no excuses for Liverpool, pointing to expectations of the club despite their injury woes.

“Whoever is available, we are still Liverpool. That’s how we see it. It means we want to win the game,” the Liverpool manager told reporters.

“Actually, I think most of the people think we have to win the game. You can see that when you speak before a game, or after a game, people don’t talk about [who is available] – he is not available, he is not available, yes, yes, no – nobody really would allow you to use such a situation as an excuse. And we don’t, we don’t.

“The situation is tough, 100 per cent, but we are at matchday – where are we, nine, 10 coming? Not sure. So, it feels quite long already but it’s not even a third of the season.

“So, who cares who is where in the moment. We try to play football. We won some games, drew in others, lost one massively. So, that’s the job.”