"Not too cool" - Jurgen Klopp addresses Liverpool man's injury absence against Everton

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have been forced into changing their starting XI for the Merseyside derby against Everton due to Thiago Alcantara's hip injury.

The Spanish midfielder is expected to be sidelined for around four weeks, compiling Liverpool's woes this season. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, as cited by Anfield Watch's Twitter account, Klopp addressed Thiago's injury absence and also spoke about Liverpool's preparation for the game.

"Hendo is always really close to the starting XI - with the Thiago situation we had to make a change, that situation is not too cool. We had to make one change but we made two.

"We know what Everton will do - we have prepared for it. A win would make a big difference, I am desperate for it.

"We've had a great training week - now we have to show it. We are really close, we understand the situation - we want to get through it, and it starts tonight. We have to put in a proper fight tonight. I am ready to go, the boys are ready to go.

"We had a long training week - we had 7 sessions - everyone showed up. Fabinho had a really good training week - he looked really really good."

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Thiago Alcantara is undoubtedly a world-class midfielder when fully fit, but his recurring injury problems have been a bit of an issue for Liverpool since his move from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2020. That said, the ex-Barcelona midfielder has barely been rested since the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to Liverpool's midfield woes, so it's not a big surprise that he's picked up another injury.

The 31-year-old has just over a year left on his contract, so Liverpool have a massive decision on their hands this summer. While he's a fantastic player, he's not getting any younger and his injury record doesn't make for good reading, so the Reds might look to move him on when his contract expires in the summer of 2024.