Liverpool have a 'few knocks' ahead of West Bromwich Albion clash, says Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a "couple" of fitness concerns to contend with ahead of side's clash against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday (13 December) after a number of his players suffered knocks during the 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday.

Tempers did not spill over during the 229th edition of the Merseyside derby, with forceful tackles at a premium, but Klopp is now facing an anxious wait to see if some of his stars will be able to turn out against the Baggies after being on the receiving end of some heavy challenges from their neighbours, who managed to take a well-earned point away from Anfield courtesy of a Wayne Rooney penalty.

"It's not clear, we play tomorrow but not clear," Klopp said in his press conference. "We have a few knocks and have to wait, nothing serious after the last game, but it's possible for a couple to miss West Brom. There were some hard challenges involved against Everton, we need to judge if it's an injury or intensity."

Klopp has regularly rotated his squad as he bids to avoid a winter slump which almost put paid to his side's Champions League aspirations last season, and he will hope Adam Lallana will soon be able to ease the workload on the rest of his Liverpool teammates after returning to first-team training following a muscle problem.

Klopp is unlikely to utilise the England international's talents against West Brom, who have not won any of their last 14 Premier League matches, and the Reds boss will also be without Joel Matip, who has only just started running again after suffering a thigh problem last month.

"Adam is back in training but needs to build up again," Klopp said. "But he trains normally, we have to see what we do with him. We need him in the next few weeks 100%, we need to see how we can get him match fit. Joel is not in training, running but not more, that takes a little bit longer."

Matip is not the only defensive concern facing Liverpool at present; left-back Alberto Moreno is currently sidelined after suffering what looked to be an ankle problem during the thrashing of Spartak Moscow.

Moreno looked in some discomfort as he trudged down the tunnel and looks set to miss the rest of the year, but Klopp is confident the knock is nothing overly serious.

Pressed for an update on Moreno's injury, Klopp said: "Not really, he's not ready for sure, We make a through assessment and have sent him to different doctors. It could be until six weeks, we have to see.

The injury troubles seem to be mounting for Liverpool ahead of the gruelling Christmas period, but Klopp will be encouraged by Danny Ings' return to action against Everton on Sunday after over a year out with a knee problem.

Ings has endured terrible luck with injuries over the last couple of seasons and made his first appearance in over 12 months when he was thrown on as a late substitute against the Toffees. The former Burnley hitman has been featuring for the Reds' youth sides during the last few weeks, and Klopp thinks solid game-time with Liverpool's Under-23s has proved fruitful for Ings, who he believes is now fully over his injury troubles.

"Danny's fit, but the situation like it is; the other ones are in good shape and that makes it tough for Danny," Klopp said. "But he's in good shape, he wants minutes, he's always asking. It makes more sense for him to play 90 minutes with the Under-23s than a few minutes for the seniors. I thought it was a good idea to involve him against Everton. Injury wise is perfect, no issues for him."