Klopp on Sakho sale; Gerrard; Lallana, Hendo returns
Date published: Thursday 13th April 2017 3:20
Jurgen Klopp discussed all manner of things in his press conference on Thursday, from Mamadou Sakho to Steven Gerrard and an injured Liverpool pair.
Top of the agenda was the future of centre-half Sakho, who has impressed since joining Crystal Palace on loan in January.
The Frenchman has started six games in the Premier League since moving in January, of which Palace have won five.
Sam Allardyce’s side have conceded just four goals in six games since Sakho became a first-team fixture, and Liverpool are thought to be demanding upwards of £30million for his services in the summer.
Palace are almost certain to bid for the 27-year-old, but Klopp revealed on Thursday that there is “no clause” in the loan deal with regards to a permanent move.
Klopp also fielded questions on former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who has been working with the club’s Academy in a coaching capacity for the past few months.
It was reported earlier this week that Gerrard had impressed enough to be handed an opportunity to coach the Under 18’s side next season. When asked on the matter, the manager replied: “There’s no announcement to do at this moment… but what I can say probably is… yes.
“He is doing a really good job at the academy at the moment with his presence and everything. He enjoys it a lot.
“Yes he will be a coach of the youth team next season. I’m pretty sure. But we will tell you exactly which team when we want to tell.”
On injured duo Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana, the German predicted that both would return before the end of the season.
“[They are] better, but not good enough for the weekend,” Klopp said.
“With Jordan, it was clear from the beginning that it’s not a fixed time until he is back. We have to wait until he feels absolutely nothing, that’s how it is. That’s what we are still waiting for.
“In all of what he is doing at the moment, he feels nothing, but we have to make steps still, steps to go [so] that he can be part of team training.
“With Adam, it is a little bit easier to say. I am pretty sure after the Crystal Palace game, he will probably be in normal training and that means then [for Watford] he is in the squad or we can think about him then.
“For the Watford game [on May 1] again, with Jordan it could be next week in training, could be the week after, but I think we are in a good way with him also. Everything will be good and I am pretty sure he will have a few games in this season.”
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