Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has notified his players that they should be aware that their Italian Champions League visitors are not coming to England for tourism as such they should take the game very seriously. Roberto Firmino, Thiago Alcantara, and Joel Matip have all returned to training after missing games through injury and illness.
Jurgen Klopp Plots Against Inter Milan’s Coming
Defender Matip and Spain midfielder Thiago could feature when the Liverpool against Inter Milan in the Champions League last-16 second leg at Anfield. Boss Jurgen Klopp suggested Brazil forward Firmino might need a few more days training before he returns.
Liverpool established a 2-0 first-leg lead in Italy on 16 February. Firmino scored Liverpool’s first goal in Milan but he has not played since then because of a groin injury. 30-year-old Matip has not featured since after their Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea because of illness and Thiago was also injured in the warm-up at Wembley.
Despite his side establishing a healthy lead from the trip to Milan, Klopp is taking nothing for granted against the Serie A champions. The German said: “They don’t come here as tourists.” “I know that they want to chase the game that’s what we want to do because we are not a team who defends results.”
Having secured the EFL Cup, Liverpool is now set to hunt for four trophies at the business end of the season. They are six points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, but have a game in hand and meet Pep Guardiola’s side at Etihad Stadium on 10 April. In addition, the Reds are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.