Liverpool head into tomorrow’s game against Sparta Prague knowing they have one foot already in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Of course, it would be wrong to write the Czech side off completely, and Liverpool won’t. But a 5-1 away win has rendered the second-leg little more than a formality. Surely the Reds can’t lose it from here.
As a result, it feels likely that Jurgen Klopp will heavily rotate his side at Anfield. With Manchester United to come in the FA Cup on Sunday, there’s no let up for the squad. Some are going to need a rest.
With injuries still biting hard in key areas, Klopp is having to protect some of his more senior players. So, Liverpool fans will perhaps be pleased to hear that captain Virgil van Dijk sat out of yesterday’s training session. According to Sky Sports reporter Vinnie O’Connor, Van Dijk’s absence was planned, and nothing to worry about.
“A surprise here to see that Virgil van Dijk wasn’t involved, but we’re told there’s no injury issue there it’s just a case of managing workload,” says O’Connor.
“Given the injuries Liverpool have had this season that’s obviously a sensible option to take.”
Van Dijk sits out of training
With Klopp facing the press today, he’ll perhaps clarify this. But it’s good to hear that Van Dijk didn’t sit out for fitness reasons.
As Ibrahima Konate works his way back to full fitness, Liverpool’s No.4 is perhaps the last person we need injured right now.
Van Dijk was absolutely supreme against Manchester City on Sunday. Holding together a slightly makeshift back five, the Dutchman put in one of his very best displays for the club.
The performance underlines just how important Virgil is right now and that he must be managed to prevent injury at all costs.
With huge games to come in the next two months, Klopp needs to take any opportunity he can to rest his captain.
As the matches grow in importance, there won’t be that many chances to do that. But tomorrow is certainly one of them.
Even without Van Dijk and Konate, Liverpool should still have more than enough to defend a four-goal cushion. Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah are surely being primed for that task. Beyond that, it sounds like Virgil will be back ready and rested for Sunday at Old Trafford.
Klopp has ridden out the storm of injuries this season remarkably well so far. This is yet another example of the manager – and the player himself – staying one step ahead of the curve. Rest up, Virg!
