Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp provides Dejan Lovren injury update after dismal FA Cup exit
LIVERPOOL defender Dejan Lovren will have to spend some time on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in the FA Cup third round defeat to Wolves.
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren was injured early against Wolves (Image: GETTY)
The Croatia international went off in the sixth minute and had to be replaced by 16-year-old Dutch defender Ki-Jana Hoever.
With central defenders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip also sidelined and Virgil van Dijk not used against Wolves, Brazilian midfielder Fabinho filled in at centre-half.
“(It is his) hamstring, is what I heard - without any signs before. I asked everybody, no signs, nothing, just out of the blue, so that's the decision you have to make,” said Klopp when asked about Lovren's injury.
“I am not sure what you all would have said if immediately from the beginning if our centre-half situation was Fabinho and Ki-Jana; then probably a few very smart people would tell me that I don't respect the competition or whatever.
(It is his) hamstring, is what I heard - without any signs before
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
“So, we tried to do all the things (we could).
“Of course, on the other hand it doesn't make sense to bring in a 16-year-old boy from the start.
“You don't bring him, you wait until he is completely ready, but he did well.
“That's how it sometimes starts - when you are really needed then it is only about if you are good enough and not how old you are.
Liverpool: Klopp praises young defender Ki-Jana Hoever
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given an injury update on Dejan Lovren (Image: GETTY)
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“He did well, so that was all OK. That's it.”
Klopp was unable to say how long Lovren will be out for.
Liverpool, whose lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to four points after last week's defeat by Manchester City, are away to Brighton on Saturday.
Klopp said his decision to field a weakened side against Wolves had been influenced by illnesses suffered in his camp.
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren suffered a hamstring injury (Image: GETTY)
“After the City game we immediately had a few players who were ill, who showed a sore threat and all you can have in this period of the year. A few of them were not even in (training) after the City game, so there was no chance,” explained Klopp.
“Pretty much all the players who were not here today had little problems, apart from Ali (goalkeeper Alisson Becker).
“The problem is, we played a similar line-up and had three tough games in the last couple of weeks, so it was clear we had to change. That's it, that's all.”