Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool won’t risk Virgil van Dijk or Joe Gomez until they are fully ready to return | Football News

Jürgen Klopp says Liverpool will not pose a threat to Virgil Van Dyke or Joe Gomez in a pre-season game until they are fully prepared to return.

Van Dyke has been out with an ACL injury since last October, and a few days later Gomez also did not require surgery for a year when he injured his left knee.

Both had trained with Liverpool in a pre-season training camp in Austria but did not take part in a friendly and Klopp says they will not play a minute in the next pre-season game with the Reds with Hertha Berlin on Thursday 29 July.

“It will still be a surprise,” Klopp told LFC television after Friday’s 1-0 win over Mainz. [if they played against Hertha], unfortunately.

“They look really good. But look, they do everything, they play football, we do what we can, they don’t do too much, we just have to be patient. We’re fully prepared for a season. , not before – the game of the season.

“I’m not threatening it for one game here. We still have a lot of games, but I don’t see them getting involved for the next game.”

Luca Kilian’s own long-term goal in Austria on Friday was to settle an unexplained case against former Klopp, but the German was happy with what he saw, even if it wasn’t perfect.

“You always have to take into account what you did the day before. We had a double session. [Thursday], trained this morning and this is exactly what you need. Good stuff and try to play the best football possible. This is pre-season.

“I’m happy with the many situations I’ve seen. The first part I saw really good football, we passed the ball against a well-organized side and the defensive side very quickly. It was far from perfect, but it’s absolutely GOOD.

“The kids had to get a result in the second half and they got it, so I’m happy about that.

“We had to defend, of course; organizationally it’s not even close to where we should be, but what is it? When you’re tired, trying to bring the best organization on the field, it’s never about 100. no interest … I think the guys did it today and I’m happy

“No one was injured. It’s important. Everyone went through it, so that’s fine.”

Klopp made his right debut in the win with summer signing Ibrahimovic Konate, but in the long run he replaced all of his substitutes and gave minutes to Billy Cometio, Leighton Clarkson, Kaide Gordon, Owen Beck and Tyler Morton as Harvey Elliott started the game.

“Harvey Elliott was really good in the first half. The kids are doing well, I have to say. I really enjoy watching them and helping them to understand the game, the position, they have to be brave, otherwise it’s a waste of time.”

“In our system, how we play, we have to make a difference in one-on-one situations, you get the ball, if you can differentiate with a little bit of speed, suddenly the game changes.

“We did it, Owen (Beck) did it a few times, Kaide (Gordon) did it too. We had good balls behind Divok (Origi). Billy (Cometio) played his first game before the season, as well. It was good, so everything is fine. “

Analysis: Everyone looks at Konate, but Keita and Gordon are surprised

Sky Sports’ Gerard Brand

“Liverpool never wanted to hover around themselves in preparation for the new season two weeks ago, and this old adage‘ performances don’t matter this season ’is necessary here.

“It was really dull for the big parts that didn’t have the flow and rhythm, but there were a few things that Jürgen Klopp would be happy about.

“Nabi Keita, who has to revive Liverpool’s career, was the brightest player in the first half, showing great skill and tight control in several situations to break the deadlock. Harvey Elliott was also impressed and praised by Klopp for praise was set aside.

“In his right debut, all the attention was focused on Ibrahim Konate and it was a 6/10 game from a 22-year-old. A light concession and after a great recovery to get the ball back, he was summed up in about 45 minutes.

“The second half brought Liverpool’s average age down significantly and although Owen Beck will receive certificates for‘ installing ’his goal, the most surprising was 16-year-old Kaide Gordon.

“Gordon was chasing everything and almost a beggar from the Mainz goalkeeper, when he got behind the back, the pajama looked and even created a very high and brave gentleman, who soon made it possible for Divock Origi. .

“It’s hard to draw too much conclusions from two lots of 45 minutes, but Klopp’s bottle was half full instead of half empty.”

What happens next?

Liverpool will face Hertha Berlin on Thursday, July 29 at 7.20pm at the Tivoli Stadium Tirol in Innsbruck, Austria.