Liverpool's returning stars pose big question for Jurgen Klopp in run-in

If all goes to plan, Jurgen Klopp will have a near enough full-strength Liverpool squad to pick from when this international break ends.

The Reds boss has been limited since the turn of the year with a host of names ruled out for large periods of time.

Liverpool have had to cope without Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate for spells and yet they’ve managed to navigate difficult fixtures, tricky moments and have shown great resilience to turn defeats into victories.

While their quadruple hopes ended in defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday, Liverpool are still joint-top of the Premier League, they’re into the quarter-final stage of the Europa League and they’ve already lifted the Carabao Cup. This could still be a remarkable end to Klopp’s reign on Merseyside.

The return of several key players is a welcomed boost. The cavalry is arriving at an important time of the campaign. But, in some ways, their return is both a blessing and a curse.

That was evident in the loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Because while fresh legs gives Klopp some much-needed options and the ability to rotate to keep players fresh, it also impacts momentum, rhythm and fluidity. The German tactician finds himself in what could be best described as a lose-lose situation.

Those who have been run into the ground while covering for the countless injuries need to have their minutes managed carefully. Those returning to the first-team picture need minutes to get back up to speed. The issue is, those coming back from injury are rusty and they’re being dropped into must-not lose matches. They’re trying to play their way back into form during the business end of the season.

Teams can accommodate one of these in the XI but Liverpool have a number of these players looking to find their feet after a spell on the sidelines.

Let's use Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai as examples. At Old Trafford, the duo looked off the pace.

Yes, Salah scored a goal and carved out three chances for teammates during his 77 minutes on the pitch but it was apparent to all that he wasn’t as sharp as we’ve all become accustomed to. His touch was, at times, loose, and he appeared to be tiring in the second half having played the full 90 minutes against Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday.

Similarly, Szoboszlai wasn’t as combative as he was earlier in the season. He was absolutely fine in possession - finding a teammate 91% of the time - but he was barely involved by his standards. He won just four of his nine duels during his 72 minutes at Old Trafford and Liverpool seemed uncharacteristically wide-open against the Red Devils. He was the only real change to the norm over recent weeks with Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister impressing.

Yet on Sunday, especially during the first half, the middle third was vacant as United carved out big chances.

When this happens, you have to look at what has changed. While Klopp made changes to the attack and the defence, the only tweak in midfield was the return of Szoboszlai. Clearly, he wasn’t ready for a start here after playing the full 90 minutes against Sparta in mid-week.

Adjustment period

The same thing will likely happen when Alexander-Arnold returns to the first-team picture. Maybe Jota takes a little time to get up to speed. Jones might need to play his way into form again. Given these three could be vital for the Reds, Klopp is going to have to give these guys the time and the minutes needed. It could be a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.

This isn’t just going to the case with returning players. Liverpool need to manage the minutes of those who have been playing every single game recently.

So, despite being in form, they’re going to have to be content with a place on the bench. It saves their legs and gives opportunities to those who need playing time. Again, it is short-term pain but the reward could be that the Reds head into May with a squad full of primed and fit players who can contribute.

Right now though, Klopp finds himself in a tricky position and he has the unenviable task of getting players up to speed while ensuring performances and standards remain at a high level.

If Sunday is anything to go by, it isn’t going to be easy.