By Lewis Thompson
Jurgen Klopp spoke to the media this afternoon where he discussed the introduction of blue cards in football and Vincent Kompany while providing an update on the fitness levels of Thiago and Mo Salah.
Anfield will host 60,000 fans against Burnley, its biggest-ever crowd in 70 years for a league game.
The boss confirmed that Salah will not be available this weekend, but is heading in the right direction and could be back in team training next week.
Thiago’s injury is not deemed to be a big one, but Klopp said: “Everything looked fantastic in training, on LFCTV you can see the moments when he looks outstanding.
“Not cool, we let him play a few minutes, but he felt a muscle issue, we don’t know the extent so we will have to wait there, it wasn’t good for anyone on top of losing the game.”
Thiago replaced Joe Gomez at the Emirates with five minutes remaining on Sunday and has missed 41 games for Liverpool since his previous hip injury.
Klopp also spoke on the 3-1 Arsenal defeat, he said: “We lost the game and it definitely felt like that.
“It didn’t feel for a second that we didn’t play a particularly good game, we have to show a reaction and that is the only good thing from it you have to react.
“It all comes down to the way we defend and that was the main point we were talking about and have to do much better on.”
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It was announced that blue cards could be introduced into football, where players will enter a 10-minute sin-bin for dissent or cynical fouls under IFAB plans which could be trailed in the FA Cup next season.
Klopp said: “It doesn’t sound like a fantastic idea at the moment, but I can’t remember the last fantastic idea from these guys IFAB and I am 56.
“We should keep it as simple as possible for the referees, it’s a difficult job and quite emotional.
“A new card would give more opportunities to fail, they want to test and I have no problem with testing, but it’s the first step to agreeing.”
Wataru Endo is set to be involved following his participation with Japan in the Asian Cup, while Dominic Szoboszlai is dealing with a hamstring problem.
Klopp added: “[Endo] is very important to have back, super influential on the pitch and his protection is exceptional.
“Dom is running outside at the moment in the winter rain and is not ready for tomorrow…It’s pretty much the same as what he had before, we are fighting for days, it could be the final or after the final.”
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Ahead of Burnley’s visit, Klopp spoke on the atmosphere in Anfield tomorrow and commented on Vincent Kompany and his side.
He said: “Vinnie is doing an incredible job there, he learned so early in his managerial career many important things, running through the Championship last year like no one else before.
“I couldn’t respect him and admire him more.
“They will play football and we have to be absolutely spot on, we will have the next increase of people in the stadium which is really nice.
“Let’s create a special atmosphere on Saturday, in the end, we will have 11 players and then we will have to go for it.
On Kompany’s goal in 18/19, he said: “There are plenty of players I should hate, Arjen Robben is one of them, but I don’t. The same with Vinnie, but I don’t.
“There were other more influential moments in that season than when he scored that goal.
“I still think [James] Maddison should’ve blocked that shot, not important, but yes I forgave him a long time ago.”
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