Kloop confident of European qualification despite injury woes

Jurgen Klopp has been dealt a big blow as he plans on taking Liverpool to the top four, with Lucas Leiva set for the treatment table.

Lucas Leiva is facing five to six weeks on the sidelines with a quad injury, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

The Brazilian midfielder missed Wednesday’s 3-0 triumph over Manchester City due to the injury, which he sustained taking a penalty in Liverpool’s League Cup final shoot-out defeat to the sky blues.

The 29-year-old will be out of action for a long period as Liverpool fight to finish the Premier League season in a European qualification place.

“I’ve never heard of an injury like this, after taking a penalty,” Klopp said at his pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

“It’s more serious than we thought. It’s a quad injury. Five or six weeks.”

Daniel Sturridge resumed full training after missing the win over City, while Mamadou Sakho took part in a light training on Friday following a head injury that kept him out of the same game.

Klopp is confident Liverpool have what it takes to close the gap and return to Europe’s elite club competition despite been six points off the qualification mark.

“Six points is not the world. We have to show it, consistency has not been our hobby until now. We need to improve that.

“Our starting position isn’t a masterclass but we are still in a good enough position to achieve something.”