Liverpool fans, we have some good news and we have some bad news.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow as the German goes looking for his first League win, against one of the Premier League’s softer touches.
The good news is the Liverpool attack will not have to be spear-headed by Divock Origi, with the new manager this morning reporting that Christian Benteke trained normally on Thursday and should be available for selection against Jose Mourinho’s men.
Klopp confirms Christian Benteke trained normally on Thursday and is available for Chelsea.
— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) October 30, 2015
Klopp will not however be able to pair the £32,5million Belgian with Daniel Sturridge, as the England striker is still unavailable through injury. A knee knock is the latest in a litany of problems that have limited Sturridge to three appearances this term and just 22 since the start of last season.
If there is a problem with the 26 year old’s rehabbing, Klopp is not looking to blame the club’s medical team, upon which he heaped plenty of praise.
Juergen Klopp: "Liverpool's medical department works perfectly. The injuries we have are nothing to do with them."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) October 30, 2015
Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool after quitting Borussia Dortmund this summer. His last season with the German giants did not go well, which he alluded to when asked about Chelsea’s fall from grace.
Asked if he is surprised by Chelsea's swift decline this season, Klopp says: "I'm experienced in this!"
— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) October 30, 2015
Klopp on Mourinho: "I'm full of respect for his work. If you're not a journalist or a referee he can be a nice guy."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) October 30, 2015
Having guided Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, the club began to suffer in the face of Bayern Munich’s on-field might and transfer raids and only a late rally last season helped claw the club out of relegation trouble and up to seventh.
Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea are currently 15th having lost half of the first 10 games of their defence, with many speculating that defeat to Liverpool will spell the end of Jose Mourinho’s second spell at the club.
