Jurgen Klopp happy to play 'the bad guy' and resist immediate Adam Lallana recall to Liverpool starting line-up
Jurgen Klopp says he will play ‘the bad guy’ if necessary to resist pushing Adam Lallana straight back into senior action following the midfielder’s return from injury.
Lallana is desperate to make his comeback and could be included in the match-day squad for the first time this season against former club Southampton.
But Klopp indicated the England man may have to wait.
“This is the moment the player wants to be back immediately and I have to be the bad guy and say 'Not today, maybe tomorrow',” said Klopp.
“Obviously that is not too nice but I do it for him and for the club. We will see, it depends how the other players are. We will use him for sure but bringing him for 90 minutes is not a good idea and will not happen. What he is doing is so different to the other players: he is the 'jumper'. He loves to do that and of course it is very important for us and will be again and I am already looking forward to when we can use it again.
“But he is also a fantastic football player and he showed that in the first (training) session. Unfortunately I was not involved but when I came in they were all really excited about it: 'Ok, Adam was pretty good' so I know about it and it is good for the player.”
Klopp must also check on Sadio Mane who has had a hamstring issue, but he is expected to feature this weekend.
“It is completely different to Sadio. Adam was much longer out, it was in the pre-season in Munich against Atletico Madrid – I don't even know when it was – but he is a fantastic player but we want to have him for the season,” said the manager.
Klopp has played down the health scare that forced him to miss training in midweek, explaining the brief hospital visit was made public because of the perils of social media rumour.
“I came in the hospital and when I passed the first few people and I saw security and (I could hear) ‘Klopp’s in hospital, did you see him?’ He turned his walkie talkie down! Oh that worked really well,” said Klopp.
“I feel really good. I am 50 now so maybe I need to get used to it but that’s twice already in a British hospital now.
“Whatever people say (thumbs up), the NHS eh? Not as bad as you think.
“I really have to thank a lot of people but not because it was serious just because they were so nice.
“Nothing to say, I’m not ill. I’m not sure if you’re happy about it but I think it’s kind of good news.”
