Jurgen Klopp can likely risk injured player against Wolves after midweek win

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Jurgen Klopp can likely afford to risk an injured player vs Wolves after a midweek win over Ajax. The boss has a luxury he didn’t have before.

As we detailed here, Jurgen Klopp has a new luxury. The win over Ajax means he’s got just one meaningful game for the next week and a half.

There’s a five-day break before Liverpool play Wolves, while the following game against FC Midtjylland is now a dead-rubber.

The Reds are through as group winners in their Champions League group, after all.

Klopp can rest players for once, then – and give injured ones ample time to recover. That could prove important against Wolves, in particular.

Taking risks

Jordan Henderson has a back issue and faces an assessment, according to the Liverpool Echo. Now, when Liverpool play every two or three days, that means the Reds can’t risk him.

He won’t get enough rest between fixtures and a slight aggravation rules him out for two or three.

But when games are spaced out – as they will be for the next week and a half – that worry goes away. It means that Klopp can take a risk on Henderson that he hasn’t been able to over the last few months.

The captain will have until Sunday to prove his fitness with the knowledge that it’s six days until the next game.

Suddenly, the risk of minor aggravation isn’t so bad.

Liverpool are still short on players, too, placing extra importance on Henderson starting. Not to mention that Wolves are a difficult side to play at full strength.

Klopp may well take this chance to play his captain, then. That’s the luxury we talked about. Finally, the Liverpool boss can treat his players normally, rather than as walking wounded.

And that could make all the difference vs Wolves.