• 9 months ago
George Priestman reporting from the AXA Training Centre following Jurgen Klopp's press conference ahead of Arsenal this weekend.
Transcript
00:00 This is George Priestman for Liverpool World reporting after Jürgen Klopp has just spoken to the media ahead of Liverpool's clash with Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.
00:07 Starting off with team news, he did confirm that there was a doubt next to the name of Darwin Nunes after he suffered a secret injury that no one knew about after the Chelsea game.
00:17 He suffered a foot injury during the 4-1 win at Anfield on Wednesday night and he had to go for an X-ray which was all clear but he did leave with a protective boot and it's unclear whether he'll be available for the weekend.
00:29 We'll just have to wait and see if he's included in the matchday squad for Arsenal.
00:32 It looks like Cody Gakpo will be ready to replace him of course and the front three will still have Diogo Jorda who is bang in form and Luis Diaz as well.
00:39 So it's still a strong line-up that heads to Arsenal but they are light on attacking reserves in that regard.
00:44 And of course Mohamed Salah is still unavailable having suffered an injury at the African Cup of Nations. He's still recuperating.
00:50 And then there's the likes of Thiago who is back in training who isn't available yet and the likes of Kostas Simakas again not available.
00:58 And then there's Jesse Hitch and Joel Matip who are the two long-term absentees in the Liverpool squad at the moment.
01:02 Jürgen Klopp was in good form and in a good mood and why wouldn't he be with Liverpool in great form at the moment and coming off a brilliant win against Chelsea during the week.
01:10 He hit back at Pep Guardiola's title claims from the other day and claimed that his Liverpool side will do whatever they need to to ensure that no other team can finish above them in the league this season.
01:18 But with City it is just a very difficult task.
01:22 They are having a so-called 'bar door mix' season and they are still two points behind Liverpool. They are having a brilliant season in most people's eyes.
01:28 And obviously with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland back in the squad we can see City really kick on again.
01:33 It's going to be a very tight title race that will go likely to the wire. Liverpool can continue their brilliant form so far this season.
01:39 Jürgen Klopp praised Thiago Schotter, the informed forward, to open the scoring against Chelsea during the 4-1 win in the week.
01:46 He now has 13 goals and 3 assists in 25 games this season and he is currently on for his best ever Liverpool season in terms of goals and assists.
01:53 He has been absolutely fantastic so far and in Mo Salah's absence during the last month he has been brilliant.
01:59 He will be key against Arsenal and of course he has a great record against them.
02:02 He scored eight times in 14 games and provided two assists as well.
02:06 He will be the main man up front, especially with that news about Darwin Nunes' injury as well.
02:10 So he will be key this weekend.
02:13 In terms of Arsenal, they are back in form after winning back-to-back games against both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest across the last week and a half.
02:20 They had a really tough period over Christmas and of course they did face Liverpool twice during one all at Anfield which was a very tight game.
02:27 And the 2-0 victory for Liverpool in the FA Cup as well which came after Christmas.
02:31 Of course Liverpool were the second best side on that day but came away with the victory in the Cup.
02:36 This is definitely going to be a difficult game for Liverpool.
02:40 It is going to be a very different game given the form that Arsenal are in and the form Liverpool are in.
02:43 So we are expecting it to be a high intensity, high quality affair with two teams going for the title.
02:48 If Arsenal win the game then they will be two points behind Liverpool and will have closed the gap.
02:54 If Liverpool win they will get eight points clear of Arsenal which will be a completely different narrative when it comes to the title race in that regard.
03:00 And of course City are five points behind as it stands but if they win their game in hand they will be two points behind.
03:06 So the title race as we can see is heating up and this game of the weekend is definitely a chance for Liverpool to lay down a marker in what is Jürgen Klopp's last season in charge.
03:13 season in charge.

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