Liverpool tick off another game of Jurgen Klopp’s dwindling time at the club as they travel to West Ham United on Saturday.
The Reds all but ruled themselves out of the Premier League title race with a dreadful showing in Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby.
They’re going to have to be a whole lot better to take something home from the London Stadium. The likes of Ibrahima Konate drew particular criticism on the back of the loss to Everton and need to improve.
Given how bad the showing was at Goodison Park, it’s possible that Klopp will rotate his squad heavily in the capital.
This could see a number of youngsters and more fringe players come in. And Klopp was asked especially about one 20-year-old prospect during his pre-match press conference Friday.
Jurgen Klopp answers Conor Bradley question
With Trent Alexander-Arnold having to go again at Goodison midweek, Klopp may have wanted to change his right-back for West Ham.
However, Trent’s natural deputy, Conor Bradley, is currently injured.
Asked about whether Liverpool fans could expect to see either Bradley or fellow absentee Diogo Jota back on Saturday, Klopp dismissed the idea.
“Both not ready,” replied the manager. “Progressing well, but not ready and nobody told me yet they will start training in the next few days.
“I think it will take a little bit of time.”
Who could play instead of Conor Bradley
Without Bradley, it’s probable that Klopp will ask Alexander-Arnold to keep going. Liverpool need to be careful with the 25-year-old though, they don’t want to injure him again.
But as lifeless as the Reds have been over the past few weeks, Trent is the one player who looks likely to create something all the time. They really need him.
Another option is that Joe Gomez comes in to cover at right-back. After a really good season though, Gomez seems to have fallen out of favour of late.
From Bradley’s point of view,it was reported to be an expectation that he would be back for the three games in May. That still gives him a week to prepare.
We won’t see the young Northern Irishman in East London, though.
