West Ham vs Liverpool team news: Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi to return
Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi are all fit to return for Liverpool in time for the FA Cup fourth-round replay against West Ham United at Upton Park. Sturridge was an unused substitute in the draw with Sunderland at the weekend while Coutinho and Origi have had spells out with hamstring and knee problems, respectively.
Sturridge has not played since December due to injury and has featured just four times from the start this term, while Origi and Coutinho's spells in the first team have also been fleeting. The Reds have been without the Brazilian since the Capital One Cup semi-final win over Stoke City in early January while knee surgery for Origi has seen him out since Boxing Day.
But Klopp, who himself will return to the Liverpool bench after missing the 2-2 draw with Sunderland following an operation to remove his appendix, says the trio are all in contention to return against the Hammers. Sturridge was in line to for a cameo appearance against the Black Cats but a string of early substitutions ruled out his return.
"We haven't decided on starting line-up yet," the Liverpool boss said according to the Liverpool Echo. "[Sturridge] was fit enough to be on the bench. He was very impressive in the last session on Friday so we thought if there is a chance for 10-15 minutes we should try it. The game had a different story so there was no possibility with two early changes.
My hope is same with Divock and Phil, they will be in the training today and are in the squad hopefully for tomorrow. Then it is a bit complicated because with overtime possible, it will be complicated with changes. They can't start all together because then you know you need to change three times because the whole game will be too much at this moment. We have to figure out how we do it best.
"Today a few players are off but tomorrow we will make a squad. It will not be like Exeter because a lot of players are available and it will be good for them to play. Never in my life have I had a problem with confidence! It's easier to be brave against Exeter – but it was necessary to be brave against West Ham in the first game. But not too brave."
Perhaps the most significant return for Liverpool is that of their manager, who missed the weekend game at Anfield after going under the knife. Klopp will return on Tuesday and says he must curb his energetic demeanour on the touchline.
"A lot of people had this before," he added. "It was new for me. I had one not too good night, you get the surgery and everything is like this I feel good and I am back. I am experienced to know that it was not a normal coaching game so I won't jump around or I will have holes in my body. I know all about this, I cannot win the game with my emotions outside so I can handle it. No worries."
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