Pep Ljinders: Why Jurgen Klopp is missing Liverpool’s game against Chelsea and what to expect from assistant

Jurgen Klopp is the latest Premier League manager to be absent from the dugout due to a suspected positive test for Covid-19.

The Liverpool boss is isolating with mild symptoms and will miss his side’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. That comes after Mikel Arteta missed Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on New Year’s Day for the same reason.

In Klopp’s place, assistant Pep Ljinders will take charge of a game which could effectively decide who challenges Manchester City for the title, with the leaders already 11 points clear of Chelsea, and 12 of Liverpool.

“Testing of the entire first-team set-up has revealed no further positive cases within the playing squad in addition to the three confirmed by Klopp on Friday,” a Liverpool statement said. “Three backroom staff members have returned suspected positive results, however.”

More from Football

'I desperately want him to stay' - Rangnick responds to Cavani's 'goodbye' against Burnley02 January, 2022Arsenal cannot keep playing well and losing to top sides - they need a statement win02 January, 2022West Ham close to within a point of Arsenal in Champions League race - ratings and analysis01 January, 2022

Ljinders has become an increasingly familiar face this season having stepped in to fulfil media duties on more than one occasion in the Carabao Cup, undertaking the press conference for the recent quarter-final victory over Leicester City.

The Dutchman first joined the club in 2014 during Brendan Rodgers’ reign but left in January 2018 when he was appointed head coach at NEC Nijmegen. He was sacked five months later and subsequently returned to Anfield.

There have since been reports that Ljinders, credited with improving academy products such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, is among the candidates to succeed Klopp at the end of his contract in 2024 – though his own deal will expire at the same time.

Aside from the manager himself, there are few who know the current squad as well as Ljinders and while he may be in communication with his boss via telephone, he will be hoping for as little disruption as possible to the usual matchday routine.

In the past, Klopp also delegated duties to former U23 coach Neil Critchley (who became Blackpool manager in March 2020). Critchley took charge of an FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury and a League Cup quarter-final tie against Aston Villa amid the club’s complaints about fixture congestion.

This time, Klopp’s absence is enforced, but he will not be the only big name missing the game. Romelu Lukaku was dropped from the Chelsea squad following an interview in which he said he was unhappy with Thomas Tuchel’s tactics and hinted at a return to Inter Milan.

Liverpool will also be missing three first-team players due to Covid. “I’m not able to say who, but it will be pretty clear on the teamsheet the day after tomorrow,” Klopp said.

from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3sQLZK7