(Reuters) – Liverpool are lacking Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, on Africa Cup of Nations responsibility, but a goalless draw towards 10-man Arsenal on Thursday can’t be blamed on their absence, based on supervisor Juergen Klopp.
Liverpool have been pissed off within the League Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield with the Reds blocked by a decided Arsenal defensive show after Granit Xhaka was despatched off within the twenty fourth minute.
Egypt ahead Salah is the Premier League’s high scorer with 16 targets whereas Senegal’s Mane has contributed eight to Liverpool’s tally.
“The state of affairs is obvious. They aren’t right here and they’re world class gamers. So that is how it’s. Do we miss them? Yes,” Klopp advised reporters forward of Liverpool’s dwelling recreation towards Brentford on Sunday.
“But we had with Sadio and Mo earlier than some struggles towards 10 males, after they have been each on the pitch and we nonetheless could not create sufficient,” added the German. “You have to interrupt down a very low block and that in soccer is essentially the most troublesome factor.
“It was at all times like this. We could not do this final evening, we weren’t adequate in moments but that is the state of affairs. Nothing to do with who’s not right here.
“It’s all about how can we do higher and we are able to do higher and that is what we are going to do.”
Sunday’s recreation can be Klopp’s 350th in command of Liverpool and it comes towards opponents who drew 3-3 within the fixture in London final September.
The German stated he was pleased with his report and hoped to benefit from the subsequent few years as effectively but most well-liked to concentrate on the following recreation.
“It’s all good but these numbers aren’t necessary to me. But 350 is a pleasant one, higher than 15 and out,” he added.
Klopp stated Liverpool, third within the league and 11 factors behind Manchester City but with a recreation in hand, had no accidents and anticipated Brentford to be powerful opponents once more.
“We must be completely alert, we have now to be completely prepared. They have particular set-pieces, they may in all probability be direct, they play an excellent first season within the Premier League and that is completely spectacular,” he stated.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, modifying by Christian Radnedge)
