Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Jordan Henderson will be fit to face West Ham this weekend, with his substitution against Midtjylland pre-planned.
Liverpool got the better of the Danish side in the Champions League on Tuesday, winning 2-0 at Anfield, thanks to Diogo Jota’s close-range strike and Mohamed Salah’s penalty.
Spirits were dampened by a first-half hamstring injury to Fabinho, however, as the Reds’ fitness problems mount.
Henderson was also taken off at half-time and replaced by Gini Wijnaldum, leading to immediate concern surrounding the 30-year-old.
Speaking after the game, however, Klopp thankfully stated that giving Henderson and Wijnaldum 45 minutes each was always in his thought process:
We had to make the change at half-time with Hendo,” he told BT Sport.
Hendo said, ‘I’m fine, I can carry on’, but in these moments you have to be responsible, show responsibility, and just say the plan before the game was 45-45, so now they should both be ready for West Ham.
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Henderson’s availability is of vital importance, so it is a huge relief to hear that he is fit to take on the Hammers on Saturday evening.
Not only is the skipper an influential player in any normal situation, but he may even be required to start at centre-back.
Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho are definitely out, while it is still unknown whether or not Joel Matip will be available.
Youngster Rhys Williams is another option to play alongside Joe Gomez, but Henderson’s experience could see him get the nod.
The hope is that Thiago will be fit to return to the midfield, allowing Henderson to drop into defence, although ideally Matip will play and the captain can start in his preferred position.
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