FA Cup, Liverpool Hit By Injury, Need A "mukjizat" To Overcome Southampton

Jurgen Klopp must think alternatively in the FA Cup (photo: x @lfc)

JAKARTA - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said the injury-hit Reds needed "mukjizat" where some of the main players were in doubt of competing in the fifth round of the FA Cup against Southampton on Thursday morning, February 29.

Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who was injured during last Sunday's League Cup final win against Chelsea, is the latest player from the Premier League leaders to miss out on this week's game.

"Ryan is not available... it's a ligament injury. It could be worse. But it's bad enough to get rid of this game, the next game... we'll see," Klopp said. "We need a miracle with some players. That's why I don't want to exclude them for too long. But the situation doubts the many players."

Klopp said the attackers Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, who were absent from the League Cup final, were also uncertain for this match. "We have to see what they can do today," he said.

The German gave awards to the squad's depth and the team's young talent for his performances this season, including the League Cup victory. "Our squad is deeper than we thought. I've said it many times, without the youths we wouldn't be here," Klopp said.

"Last Sunday's story was one of the best football stories ever. Our players played youth football, recently it went up, had no experience but had a lot of talent," he added.

However, Klopp fears the lack of recovery time could be a problem against Southampton, who are in fourth place in the second league standings.

"I like the Championships... the intensity of football being played there is amazing. The league is extraordinary, and difficult," he said. "Liverpool is considered a big favorite, but that's not true. We need a competitive team and fight for it."