Manchester City vs. Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's Key Comments from Presser
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp commented on Raheem Sterling's first match against the Reds since his move to Manchester City and said he doesn't know how many "friends" the player has at Anfield.
The England international was involved in an acrimonious switch from the Reds to the Etihad Stadium in the summer, per BBC Sport, and the 20-year-old will now line up against his former club on Saturday.
Jacob Murtagh of the Daily Mirror quoted the German from his press conference on Thursday as saying: “I don’t know how many friends Raheem has here but he’s good player. I’ve not heard bad word about him. He’s a good boy.”
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Klopp also spoke about the potential of Steven Gerrard returning to Merseyside to train with the club at Melwood, after the player was spotted in Liverpool, per Joe Mewis of the Daily Mirror: "No, he hasn’t trained he’s on holiday. But it was good to see him. We spoke about many things. If he wants to train he can. There is no question. He can use Melwood [to train] before he goes back to LA.”
The Anfield giants travel to the Premier League leaders on Saturday after beating Chelsea on the road at Stamford Bridge.
The German coach declared City "are not bad" in his pre-match thoughts, and he is looking forward to getting back to business, per Mewis:
"Man City are not bad! They are a good team with good players, very experienced. We will be prepared. I played them with Dortmund and never lost.
I’m really looking forward to this game, two weeks after Crystal Palace is long enough.
We only had eight players here (during international break). Jose Enrique could train for the first time since I’ve been here.
"
Klopp will make a late decision on Daniel Sturridge's participation against the attacker's former club at the Etihad Stadium.
The England striker is back in training after a myriad of injury problems, and the manager spoke of Sturridge's "outstanding" qualities, as quoted by Mewis:
"He was out for four and half weeks, I’m not sure if Liverpool had that long break in the summer!
For four and a half weeks he didn’t train, but within a few seconds of him being back could see the quality. We have to find the balance.
When you see Daniel in training and he does something, you say ‘ooh, nice’.
Sturridge is as fit as he can be after this break. He has trained with us. He is not 100 per cent. His qualities are outstanding.
I will decide this tomorrow. He has been out for five weeks and hasn’t trained much.
"
The coach also gave injury updates on Mamadou Sakho and several other players, and said he thinks the defender will be back sooner than expected, per Mewis: “Sakho is good news. It’s not that serious, not like we first thought. We don’t want to give you a time. It won’t be Christmas 2016! [Jordon] Ibe is back, [James] Milner back, [Jordan] Rossiter will start training Sunday, [Jordan] Henderson maybe part training next week.”
Liverpool have improved in their recent matches under Klopp, but the 2-1 reverse to Palace was a shock loss at Anfield.
However, the performance at Chelsea offers hope to Liverpool fans, giving a glimpse of what is to come under Klopp.
City are riding high after a great start to the campaign, and they lead the league on goal difference from second-placed Arsenal.
However, a loss to the Reds could see them fall as low as fourth if the Gunners, Leicester City and Manchester United all pick up wins.
