Klopp’s Everton preview: On Coutinho, Allardyce and how Henderson has the hardest job in world football

Premier League
Sunday 10 December 2017 - 2:15 pm
Anfield
Liverpool1
1Everton
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36' Sigurdsson
42' Gueye
⚽️ Salah43'
45'↔️ Niasse off, Lennon on
45'↔️ Davies off, Schneiderlin on
Salah off, Firmino on ↔️67'
Lovren76'
Oxlade-Chamberlain off, Coutinho on ↔️77'
77'⚽️ Rooney
Solanke off, Ings on ↔️82'
83'↔️ Rooney off, Jagielka on
85' Schneiderlin
Possession %
7921
Total Shots
233
Shots on Target
32
Shots Blocked
8
Offside
1
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is busy preparing the side for Sunday's Merseyside derby v Everton at Anfield but this morning he attended his pre-match press conference.

First up was speculation surrounding Phil Coutinho, as the January transfer window approaches - here's what Klopp had to say

'I have no reasons to think about it.  We never speak about transfers at this moment.  Whatever I say will not stop your questions so then I thought maybe I just wouldn't answer it.

If I say nothing then you can speculate why I am not saying anything.

Nobody has come to me so far and told me that Phil will be away in January.  I am completely fine with the situation.

We had this big story in the summer - I have no (sigh) desire to have it from now on until the end of January because we play around 20 games in that time.

The Liverpool manager then reflected on the week gone and the upcoming game.

'What a week for us away at Brighton and then this all or nothing final v Moscow and the derby is waiting with our opponent resting a team on Thursday night and with their new manager - one of the most experienced manager in the Premier League.

I will have played him at three different clubs here and I've only been here two years.  All Sam Allardyce teams are difficult to play but on the other side we were in a good moment and we have to learn from our mistakes.  After our last clear win in the Champions League v Maribor we were not spot on in the following league game.

We have to use our experience.  We have to use Anfield.  It is OUR home ground and everyone needs to feel that.

He was asked about Everton, and Allardyce's qualities.

Their set pieces are of the highest level.  Sigurrdsson is born to deliver set pieces I would say.  A lot of fights for second balls, for sure we need to do that.

We have to look for challenges, find challenges and win challenges.  We have to be ready for hard challenges.

I have no problem with nicknames like 'Fab Four' but that is disrespectful against all the other players.  We played a fantastic game against West Ham and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was involved.  We haven't had Adam Lallana involved and I think he will fit fantastic into each 'boy group' or 'boy band' on this planet.

The inevitable Jordan Henderson question cropped up.  He was rested in the midweek 7-0 win but after the game Klopp insisted that he '100% would return' for the derby.

"Even the Captain can't play all the time.  I made the decision last week (about which game Jordan would play in) and I only mentioned it (that he would play v Everton) because I knew people would say after our big win 'Jordan didn't play' and make a sh*t story of it.

(Apologises for swearing).  But they are sh*t stories so I can't change that.  Find me another word for it.

He is such an important player for us.  I don't get why I have to say it but I live in this city and obviously I get it - people talking.

Being the skipper of Liverpool is the hardest job in world football because the man who had the armband before him was Steven Gerrard.  I am sorry he finished playing football and we cannot get him back.

I want it so that everyone respects that Jordan Henderson is our skipper and he is the best man for the job.  But even he can't play every game until he gets injured.  I have said a little bit about it.  Story done.

Liverpool take on Everton on Sunday at 2:15pm UK time.

VIDEO: Jurgen Klopp Pre-Everton Press Conference

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