Klopp hints at Liverpool line-up for Arsenal clash by defending maligned duo

Jurgen Klopp hinted at his Liverpool line-up for the club’s clash with Arsenal.

Arsenal travel to Merseyside hoping to reclaim an eight-point lead at the Premier League summit.

Given both sides’ form the Gunners are favourites to breeze past Klopp’s men, however, their record at Anfield in recent years has been woeful.

Arsenal have not won in Merseyside since 2012, back when Arsene Wenger was still in charge.

Moreover, despite their topsy-turvy season Liverpool have continued to be a difficult proposition at home. Of their nine league defeats this term, only one has come at Anfield.

Liverpool line-up hint?

As Klopp leapt to the defence of Virgil Van Dijk and Diogo Jota in his press conference, he may have hinted at his line-up against Arsenal.

Klopp insisted he is pleased with Jota’s performances despite his lack of goals following his return from a calf injury in February. The German backed the forward to have an impact for the Reds in the final weeks of the season.

Meanwhile, Van Dijk received criticism in his native Netherlands during the March international break with some calling for him to be stripped of the Netherlands captaincy.

On Jota, Klopp said: “I thought Diogo has done really well since he’s back because it was a really long injury for that. A super mature boy, super. Dealing well with difficulties and setbacks. It was really impressive, for the age he is.

“The level of the performance he produced, I really liked. He was good against Chelsea. He closed the right side really well and offensively was a threat again.

“He doesn’t have the foundation physically to go and go and go and go, yet, because of the long injury. But Diogo is a really good player and we missed him a lot during the season.”

Indeed, Klopp’s comments about Jota suggest the Portugal international might drop to the bench after starting against both Man City and Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Van Dijk was ruled out of the midweek clash through illness, though is poised to return against Arsenal.

Klopp said: “Virg is a leader, he’s not under pressure to be a leader. He’s a leader and was always a leader. Maybe the focus is now a little bit more on him.

“I don’t think he is more vocal than before, to be honest. I think he was always vocal. In a super game, I don’t think you realise how much people are talking because it’s constantly going, but in his line, we have to play better as well.

“But he knows that. He knows that as well and everything we can do to do that is very welcome. Yes, organising a line is a massive thing but it’s not that he started now, becoming a leader or whatever. It was always the case, from the first day.”

Topics: Football, Liverpool, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Diogo Jota

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.