Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is confident his side can cope without presence of defensive midfielder Fabinho after injury ruled out the Brazil international until the new year.
The 26-year-old, a key player for the Reds, could be sidelined for between six to eight weeks with ankle ligament damage sustained in Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Napoli.
A six-week absence would rule him out of 11 matches in the most congested period of the season, but Klopp believes the options Liverpool have means they can absorb his loss – even though his absence is a huge worry.
“Losing a player with the quality of Fabinho is big, massive, really bad,” said the German. But we are not the only team in the Premier League with injuries.
“We have solutions for the position, we have to replace him, we can replace him, we have played without him, we have played good without him.”
“Will it be exactly like Fabinho? Of course not. Nobody is like the other one. But it will be a good one.
“It’s an opportunity for somebody else. Hendo [Jordan Henderson] played in that position, Gini [Wijnaldum] played in the position already. Adam Lallana played in the position.
“It’s not that they aren’t as good as him, it’s that they are different, have different qualities. We just have to make it work. That’s always the job.
“Fab couldn’t have played all the games from now until March, that was clear anyway.
“It’s not cool. We think a lot about it, but not in the case now ‘oh my God, how can we deal with it?’.
“It’s just ‘let’s do the right thing for Fab, let’s do the right thing for the team’ and let’s carry on.”
Klopp also discussed other topics in his press conference, and you can read the best bits, below..
“They are a very exciting development. The way they play, they had 48 per cent possession against City, they play proper football. I respect it a lot. That’s our issue right now, not who scores for us.
“They will come here and try to get the points, 100 per cent sure. We have to be ready three days after a very intense game against Napoli.
“Graham Potter is doing a fantastic job at Brighton. It will be a tough one. This is just the next game. Everyone has three games a week coming up but they have had time to prepare. We had an intense game against Napoli.”
“I’ve seen photos but it’s very early stages. Nobody knows when it will happen but the best news is the club is constantly trying to develop. Making this iconic place available for more people is a very good idea.”
Check out all the live commentaries coming up across the talkSPORT network this week
“I was surprised when I saw the news. That’s how the football world is. I have no clue what happened there but obviously the board wasn’t happy with the performances and made a decision. That’s our life [as manager] when you sign a contract.
“I wish him all the best. He is an outstanding manager and has shown that in many different countries.
“Arsenal have to find a solution now, there are coaches out there, younger ones, maybe less experienced. Maybe they can take a chance.”
“Most important thing is our thoughts are with the families and we are there for them, It’s a big disappointment, frustration, sadness. This looks like the final verdict and I understand and respect how much they fought. It shows how much it means.”
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey