Liverpool injury update on Jota, Robertson and Henderson as Jurgen Klopp drops team hint v Porto

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Porto at Anfield on Wednesday (20.00 GMT).

Here are the main talking points from the Reds boss’ press conference.

Injury update

Liverpool have had their well-documented injury problems this season.

Andy Robertson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino all missed Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Arsenal with respective hamstring problems.

Jordan Henderson could also only make the bench.

To make matters worse, Diogo Jota suffered a knee knock, having scored the Reds’ second goal against the Gunner.

Klopp had hoped the Portugal international’s issue wasn’t too serious after the game.

However, the Anfield boss revealed he’s unsure if Henderson and Robertson will feature, with the busy festive period around the corner.

He said: “Hendo yesterday was not 100%. He can play and do pretty much everything but it’s about being 100% fit.

“When he came on against Arsenal, it was seeing the game out and controlling it and it’s what he had to do from a rehab point of view.

“But now we have to see, I don’t know 100%. Robbo is similar.

“Both are OK, but are both now ready to play, ready to start but with the schedule, with games coming up?

“We have to make these decisions.”

Selection hint

Liverpool have already topped Group B with two matches to spare and are into the last 16 of Europe’s elite club competition.

Therefore, Klopp can afford to shuffle his pack against Porto.

The Reds boss has hinted he’ll play a strong side but will make some changes.

He said: “We always respect the competition but we have to think about ourselves, our situation and the situation of our players first.

“What line-up, it will be about winning this game and winning the next and next.

“We know are opponent will be highly motivated for two reasons. We won there in a way they didn’t like and if they win, they have a final against Atletico in the last match of the group.

“It will be a difficult game and I hope Anfield will be at its best. It’s the Champions League, you can never take it for granted, we need to be ready for a proper fight out there.

“When you sign a contract with LFC, you have to win all games. We don’t have to win the game but we want to win the game tomorrow.”

Minamino confidence

Takumi Minamino has had a difficult season, but came off the bench to score Liverpool’s final goal in the Arsenal triumph.

Klopp’s adamant the Japan international will now get more minutes as the season goes on.

The German said: “He is in exceptional shape and I knew before the game, he is our first option for changing five positions.

“When he came on, it was a wonderful moment scoring a goal. You can see how the confidence has grown and how good a player he is.

“He will get his minutes, definitely.”

Morton progress

Klopp handed Tyler Morton his Premier League debut against Arsenal, having impressed in Carabao Cup games against Norwich and Preston this season.

If Liverpool decide to shuffle their pack in midfield, he’s one who could come in.

Klopp stayed tight-lipped over the Wirral-born academy product’s potential involvement against Porto but has been impressed by his promising progress this term.

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but progress from Tyler Morton is impressive,” added Klopp.

“Tyler had the full pre-season with us. You could see his technical skills but how well behaved and educated young people are, he tried to adapt what the first team he was doing.

“In the games, he was good, not spectacular but against Norwich he was super. Confidence level exploded overnight and I saw for the first time the real Tyler Morton after that game.

“He played the Preston game, a really good performance, really mature and you can see that in training again.

“That’s how development works, it’s a good example.”