The manager of Liverpool football club, Jurgen Klopp has disclosed that the “knock” Harvey Elliott suffered during Dubai Super Cup match against Lyon is not as severe as envisaged.
The German tactician also disclosed that Luis Diaz is not currently in a critical situation but the club’s medical team is keeping a close watch on Diaz’s fitness issue.
Note that Diaz sustained an injury earlier in the week during Liverpool’s training camp in the United Arab Emirates, while Elliott came off in the 29th minute of the Dubai Super Cup opener with Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.
After Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Lyon, coach Jurgen Klopp said: “Harvey got a knock before we scored, Harvey got a knock. But I think we were lucky.
“He looks fine now but he feels it, that’s normal, there was contact. But I hope we were lucky in that moment.”
While addressing the fitness issues of Luis Diaz, coach Jurgen Klopp noted: “Yeah, he was not in the best possible place. It’s clear it’s a big disappointment for all of us, for him as well.
“It was a non-situation in training, honestly – nothing, felt something. [He] didn’t feel a lot next day but we wanted to be really cautious and said, ‘OK, come on, let’s have a look.’
“Yeah, then the news came and it was a proper smash in the face. But that’s it now.”
Liverpool tasted their first mid-season defeat as Lyon beat Jurgen Klopp’s men in Dubai Super Cup
In the Dubai Super Cup match, Lyon defeated Liverpool 3-1 thanks to two goals from former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
The Reds hoped to use their journey to the Middle East in the middle of the season to address the issues that caused them to finish sixth in the Premier League before the start of the World Cup break.
Fabio Carvalho gave Jurgen Klopp’s team the lead in the opening minute before Mohamed Salah missed a penalty.
Liverpool were awarded the spot-kick after Roberto Firmino was pulled down nearby. Unfortunately, Anthony Lopes used his foot to block Salah’s meek spot-kick.
After Bradley Barcola’s goal in the 65th minute, Lyon scored an equalizer through Lacazette in the 41st minute, and he sealed the victory in the 82nd.
By scoring his second goal of the match in the dying minutes, Lacazette ensured Lyon’s victory.
Jurgen Klopp and his men also lost Dubai Super Cup’s post-match penalty shootouts against Lyon
Additionally, Lyon scored all five of their penalties to win the tournament’s signature shootout after Calvin Ramsay’s attempt was saved by Lopes.
In the Dubai Super Cup’s post-match penalty shootouts, Calvin Ramsay’s save proved to be the deciding factor, denying Liverpool the consolation of a bonus point.
Even though Liverpool ultimately lost the day, you get a feeling that Jurgen Klopp won’t be too concerned by what he saw during the exhibition game.
On Friday, Liverpool will have the chance to make amends when they play Inter Milan in their second and final friendly before the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day.
Before they will resume their Premier League campaign, Jurgen Klopp and his boys will play Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the EFL Cup round of 16 on December 22 at 21:00. After that, they will visit Villa Park to take on Aston Villa on December 26 at 18:30.
Jurgen Klopp provides an update on when Liverpool players will return to the club from international duty at the World Cup 🔙pic.twitter.com/hFtwUB3Tg3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 11, 2022
