Pep Lijnders has provided an update on Jurgen Klopp and admitted Liverpool will make no excuses with the club missing a number of key players for the game with Chelsea.
Liverpool confirmed yesterday that Klopp would miss this afternoon’s clash at Stamford Bridge after he returned a suspected positive COVID-19 test result.
The club also confirmed that not only would Lijnders be in charge in Klopp’s absence, but three members of the club’s backroom staff had also returned suspected positive results.
While Liverpool also confirmed before team news was confirmed that Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip had also returned suspected positive tests for COVID-19.
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“Jurgen has shown mild symptoms, that is a positive of course,” Lijnders told Sky Sports ahead of the game. “Jurgen is Jurgen, he gives everybody positive vibes and he has full support and gives all this energy from home.
“Jurgen is a top manager so at the moment a team is prepared and well drilled, his staff is prepared and well drilled.
“At the moment these top managers can step away, hopefully the team can still perform. He gives responsibility, a lot of freedom as always and gives full support.”
Before Lijnders continued: “Yeah, Covid. But, we don’t come here with excuses, we’re here to attack this game, to attack the matchday.
“We come here with hunger, we come here with idea to create a final. We are not a team of excuses. We have showed that in the past and we want a special game - we are going to try everything with the group we have to make it a special game.”
While speaking on Klopp’s absence, Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson said: “He will be a big miss.
“Obviously he’s our leader but at the same time we have great leaders in the dressing room. Pep as well and the other coaching staff have been brilliant - really experienced.
“For us it’s business as usual and hopefully we can have a big performance to make the gaffer feel a bit better at home.”
