Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp laughs at ‘poker face’ Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Everton clash
Liverpool: Klopp recalls favourite Merseyside derby moments
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp laughed at Carlo Ancelotti’s team selection ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield. Everton boss Ancelotti declared on Friday that Allan and Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be fit to play. However, the duo were only named on the substitutes bench by the Italian.
Midfielder Allan has not played since December due to a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, top scorer Calvert-Lewin has missed the last two matches because of a hamstring problem of his own.
Klopp was asked what he thought of Everton’s line up by Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves ahead of the match.
However, the German admitted he was yet to see the Toffees’ starting XI.
JUST IN: Arsene Wenger slams three Chelsea players during Southampton draw
“To be honest, I didn’t see [the Everton team],” Klopp said.
You [Liverpool media team] took me out before you showed me.
“What is on the team sheet? Calvert-Lewin’s playing? Allan’s playing?”
Shreeves replied: “No, both on the bench.”
A laughing Klopp responded: “Ha ha. Carlo the poker face.
DON’T MISS
Celtic boss Neil Lennon slams Nicola Sturgeon after being dragged into Rangers controversy [QUOTES]
Tottenham chief Daniel Levy has got his Jose Mourinho replacement spot on [OPINION]
Man Utd make Victor Lindelof transfer call with Jules Kounde signing targeted [REPORT]
“Yeah, can’t say anything about the line up because I don’t know it.”
In his interview, Ancelotti said both players were not ready to start the match.
“They come back after a long period, Allan of course,” Ancelotti said.
“So they were not so comfortable so I preferred to put them on the bench to avoid problems. Of course they can play if we need.
“The system and the strategy will be the same, it doesn’t change. I put more fresh legs because we played Wednesday night.
“I think it will be a game with lots of intensity and we want to be ready for these kinds of situations.”
Klopp named an unchanged line up from the 2-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig in midweek.
And he was delighted to bring some continuity in his selection..
Klopp added: “We couldn’t do that too often this season. [Continuity is] one reason.
“We had this one day [to prepare], for us it really makes a massive difference.
“Normally we only have two days between or three days between. So we should be recovered and can go again.”
Klopp wanted his side to channel their emotion in the right ways in the first meeting between the teams since Virgil van Dijk suffered a season-ending injury earlier this term.
He said: “It’s a derby and derbies are historically intense so that means we have to be intense.
“We have to be calm as well in the right moments and play football. We need to be emotional too, but channel that in the right direction. All these kinds of things.”
Source: Read Full Article