Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he is not sure whether Jordan Henderson and Divock Origi will feature in the Europa League final against Sevilla on 18th May – and to be in the mix they must be fit for the weekend before the game.
The pair are currently undergoing rehabilitation programmes for their respective injuries; while Origi injured his ankle ligament in the 4-0 win over Everton in a Premier League fixture on 20th April, Henderson has been sidelined for over a month with knee ligament damage.
And Klopp insists that although Origi and Henderson are making good progress, he will not take any risk with the fitness of the duo.
“I don’t know exactly in this moment. [Henderson] was really celebrating yesterday after the game!” he said in a press conference held this morning, when asked if Henderson and Origi will play in the Europa League final.
“I saw in his eyes he thinks he has a chance, so that’s the first and most important step in the right direction.
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“The same with Divock Origi, but we will see, I have no idea.
"Before you are able to play in the final on the Wednesday after the season, the latest moment after a long break when you should be available is the Sunday before – then there’s a chance, but there is no situation for taking the risk.
“Hendo is in a really good way, so it is really good for England because there is no doubt at this moment about being fit for the European Championships.”
Klopp went on to add that he is also not sure whether summer signing Danny Ings will play again in the present campaign.
The striker, who joined the Reds from Burnley, recently returned to training following the cruciate knee ligament injury he sustained back in October.
“I don’t know, but I am pretty sure Danny wants it!” he continued.
“He was in training and in Germany we have a word that means ‘early shape’ – he came back into training after a long, long break at the highest level. He is a good striker; I knew this before but now I have seen it. In this moment, it makes no sense [to risk him] – we have all these fit players.
“If we have the opportunity, if there is a chance, we will do it, but we will not force it, we will not push it, we will not press it. If there is an opportunity, we will do it, but Danny’s time will come – 100 per cent.
“If there is an opportunity this season we will do it, but if not then he has a long pre-season, which is brilliant for him and for us. Then he will be available next season.”
Liverpool, who are currently eighth in the Premier League, will next face Watford on Sunday.
