Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp met the media a few hours ago to preview tomorrow night’s Champions League group stage clash at home versus Red Star Belgrade. We have video of the entire media session for you here below via YouTube.
There were a whole host of topics covered in the Klopp news conference, including: an update on the injury/fitness situation (Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson are out, while Sadio Mane could play), his opponents tomorrow night, what their situation is in the group standings, why we will see none of their supporters in the crowd tomorrow night and much much more.
“Sadio looked good in training the last two days. He trained completely normal, so if nothing happens he should be at least in contention,” Jurgen Klopp told his Tuesday news conference.
“I learned that word a second ago, actually. That’s good. Naby will not be available, nor will Hendo. Naby is on a good way again, running outside and all that stuff, but we have to see, take it day by day. We cannot put any pressure on, but it should not be that long until he is fit.
“Hendo got a little hamstring injury in the [Huddersfield] game. Not too serious, but serious enough that he’s not available tomorrow or at the weekend. Then from that day on, we will count the other days until he’s available.”
Red Star will travel no fans for this one, as the club is serving the final game of a ban on selling tickets for away matches as a result of incidents during their playoff with FC Salzburg.
“When I was a player I played in empty stadiums,” Jurgen Klopp said. “They were not banned, they were just not interested in the football.”
“A stadium full of only one crowd, I never experienced. The support here in England is different. We don’t sing against another crowd, it’s more you follow the game and support your team,” he added.
“Of course, it’s not nice for the people of Belgrade, but we have no influence on that. We would have had no problem if their fans had been here, we’d still have had a fantastic atmosphere.”
Anfield, on European nights in midweek, typically has an amazing atmosphere.
Liverpool FC vs Red Star Belgrade FYIs
Predicted Liverpool Starting XI: go to this link
Injury Report for both teams: go to this link
Kickoff: Wednesday October 24, 8pm BST, Anfield
Odds via Betway: Liverpool FC 1/20, Draw 12/1, Red Star Belgrade 28/1
Prediction: Liverpool FC 3, Red Star Belgrade 0
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