Jurgen Klopp rings the changes as Liverpool are held at Exeter as the FA Cup Third Round gets underway. Elsewhere, Eden Hazard is set to miss Chelsea’s home match with West Brom and Claudio Ranieri is optimistic on Jamie Vardy’s midweek chances of recovery.
Reds Set for Replay
Jurgen Klopp made wholesale changes to the side that beat Stoke at the Britannia in midweek as Liverpool made their way to Exeter. Christian Benteke was the only first-team regular in a side that also contained the likes of Jose Enrique and Tiago Ilori, who was recalled from a loan stint at Villa earlier in the week as a result of the club’s injury crisis in defence.
The Reds went behind twice but fought back to earn a draw; youngsters Jerome Sinclair and Brad Smith came to the rescue as Benteke turned in another disappointing display. The result means that Liverpool will face a replay later this month – adding to a packed fixture list that also includes an upcoming Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Stoke.
After the match, Klopp discussed the hectic schedule and his problems in defence ahead of the midweek visit of Arsenal:
“It’s only a situation that we have, it’s no problem. We had some more games than other teams because we are still in the Capital One Cup, we played Europa League, that’s all. The main problems we have is because our centre-halves are injured in this moment. We had five centre-halves at the beginning of the season and at this moment no centre-halves, that’s the situation, but next week it could be different. Then we have to see what we can do, we work on it, and go on.”
Friday Press Conferences
After our update from Thursday’s press conferences yesterday morning, we take a look around the remaining sides for any news and worthwhile soundbites:
Eden Hazard, Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy have all been ruled out of Chelsea’s showdown with Scunthorpe on Sunday. In his Friday lunchtime press conference, Blues boss Guus Hiddink also conceded the Belgian is set to miss Wednesday evening’s league encounter with West Brom:
“Hazard will not make midweek [v West Brom]. We must be careful because a player must not fall again after twice being injured in a physical trap. This time we must take a little bit more time. He was fit to play but he got an unfortunate slip in the Crystal Palace game. We must be careful to maybe [bring him back] one game or half a game later than one or half a game too early.”
Leicester’s new signing Demarai Gray is available to make his debut at Spurs, though the Foxes are without Jamie Vardy, Jeffrey Schlupp and Matty James. Discussing Vardy’s fitness after the striker underwent minor groin surgery, Claudio Ranieri revealed his top scorer could yet make Wednesday’s Gameweek 21 visit to White Hart Lane:
“He’s okay. He trained today and he’s working with the physio. I think he should be ready for the league match [against Spurs]. I said to my physio I don’t want to lose him for a long time. If he’s ready for the second match against Tottenham, okay. If not, Aston Villa.”
Man City remain without Vincent Kompany, Wilfried Bony and Samir Nasri for the showdown with Norwich. That trio are joined on the sidelines by Eliaquim Mangala, who has failed to recover from the hamstring problem that forced him off against Everton in midweek. Addressing his side’s growing injury problems in defence, Manuel Pellegrini revealed he’s considering fielding Bacary Sagna in the heart of the back-four:
”We will see tomorrow the 11 starters, but Bacary is an option to play as a centre-back. He has done it before in the past and he likes to play in that position. He is an important option especially now that Pablo Zabaleta has recovered from his injury and he will start playing.”
Man United will be without Phil Jones for their match against Sheffield United, though Anders Lingard is available for selection once again. Louis van Gaal hinted at making changes for the weekend showdown:
”We have to wait and see because I have a lot of players who are in the ‘red zone’ [in terms of fitness], overloaded, and that I decide later. Young is not injured but he is overloaded and in the ‘red zone’. More players are in the ‘red zone’ and we have to decide if they can play against Sheffield United or not.”
Jack Colback is a doubt for Newcastle’s trip to Watford. Fellow midfielder Vurnon Anita has been ruled out, whilst Steve McClaren has revealed that Papiss Cisse’s groin injury isn’t as bad as first feared:
“Papiss has been out on the field running and as long as he keeps running he could be back training next week. On medical advice we are letting him rehab and he is progressing very quickly in that rehab. There may come a point where he breaks down or he comes right the way through and he is fit. It is that kind of injury. He is progressing well and he is on course to join us midweek. Hopefully we will see him soon.”
Matt Jarvis remains sidelined ahead of Norwich’s clash with Man City, though Alex Neil has revealed the winger is very close to a return. New boy Ivo Pinto won’t be included for this one as he’s only had one training session with his team-mates so far.
Tottenham are without midfield trio Mousa Dembele, Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard for their home encounter with Leicester, though Mauricio Pochettino revealed the former two are “very close” to a return.
West Brom duo James McClean and Salomon Rondon could be in line for recalls after serving out their respective three-match suspensions last week. Tony Pulis has also revealed that Jonas Olsson has a chance of recovering from a hamstring injury, though Victor Anichebe misses out with a similar complaint.
