Liverpool V Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield : Match Preview

24 October 2016 17:34
Liverpool V Tottenham Hotspur - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Simon Mignolet no longer Liverpool number one, says Jurgen Klopp

Simon Mignolet will return for Liverpool in the EFL Cup - but manager Jurgen Klopp has made it clear the Belgian goalkeeper is now second choice.

Mignolet has had three inconsistent seasons at Anfield and lost his place to new signing Loris Karius for the Reds' defeat of Derby in the third round of the competition last month.

At the time Klopp said he had no definite number one but, with Karius having now played five games in succession, his thoughts have changed.

Mignolet, however, remains a key figure in the squad and Klopp is keen to have him involved as Tottenham visit Anfield in the fourth round on Tuesday.

Klopp said: "If nothing happens in training then he will play, 100 per cent.

"But in this moment we have a number one and that's Loris Karius. That's the situation and what the goalkeepers know. I cannot leave them in doubt.

"There was a short period with the two or three games we (initially) gave Loris to see a little bit more of him, but after the last international break I spoke to both of them and we made this decision.

"Of course, he (Mignolet) was not happy about this but nobody can see this in training. He is still working hard, improving, (doing) all that he has to do. He is a very serious person and a good professional."

Liverpool were beaten in the final of the League Cup last season, losing on penalties to Manchester City. Klopp wants to go one better this time but insists putting right February's Wembley loss is not the prime motivation.

He said: "It's a negative sign if we lose a final we say we want to win it next year. It's a very big cup tournament. That is the reason we want to go to the final and win."

Klopp said at the weekend he would welcome the prospect of Steven Gerrard returning to Anfield in some capacity following hints by the former Reds captain he could soon leave the LA Galaxy.

But asked if there had been any further developments, Klopp said at a press conference: "There is nothing else to say about it."

Captain Jordan Henderson misses out through suspension but the Reds have no new fitness concerns.

Meanwhile, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino confirmed he will rest Hugo Lloris for the cup clash at Anfield, insisting top stars like the France goalkeeper are not "machines".

"It's true that tomorrow we'll play Michel Vorm," said Pochettino.

"Hugo is not a machine, he's one of the best but he's not a machine. Tomorrow is a very good opportunity for Michel, he deserves to play.

"Players like Lloris, they are not machines. And it is very tough to go from international matches, to the Premier League, to the Champions League and back to the Premier League, without any breaks.

"So we will rotate and we will rotate in the next few games too, because it's important that the whole squad feel they are important, have the chance to play and show their quality."

Teenage midfielder Marcus Edwards has sustained an ankle problem and could be sidelined for six weeks, so misses out.

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou is in line to start as Pochettino rotates his squad.


Source: PAR