Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reiterated that he respects the FA Cup, but says his priority has to be the well-being of his players.
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Klopp’s side entertain Merseyside rivals Everton in a mouthwatering FA Cup third round clash on Sunday, but has only 12 fit senior outfield players available.
New signing Takumi Minamino is also set for this debut, leaving the German with few options to rest players.
“People have told me already I wouldn’t respect the cup. It’s not true. But my first job is to respect the players,” he said.
“I’ve got to decide if it’s allowed to play them again. It looks like federations around want to make it more tricky.
“How can you look at a situation like Newcastle – losing four players in one game – and not think ‘This is crazy’.”
Meanwhile, Klopp confirmed that youngster Rhian Brewster will be in his squad for Sunday’s FA Cup meeting with the Toffees.
The 19-year-old striker is set to depart Anfield on a temporary basis in the January transfer window, with Swansea already holding talks with Brewster.
He’s also set for talks with another Championship side before deciding on his future, but looks set to still be on Merseyside for this weekend’s clash.
“First of all, if nothing happens Rhian will be in the squad on Sunday. That’s the first thing and then we will see,” Klopp said.
“Clyney is obviously in a good way. He’s still doing the rehab stuff from a bad injury, but Clyney was for his whole career always a naturally fit player so he will be 100 per cent fine after that. Nothing else to say about that.
“Rhian is obviously much further. He [has been] training for five or six days, he wasn’t out for too long – it was only a little thing but it was enough so he wasn’t available and now he’s back in training and will be involved in the squad.”