Klopp: "Inter are a top team"

At 21:00 CET on Wednesday Inter face Liverpool at San Siro in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League clash. The second leg is scheduled at 21:00 on 8 March at Anfield.

LIVERPOOL TRAINING AT KIRKBY

Ahead of their showdown with the Nerazzurri Liverpool took part in a training session at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby. This was followed by a pre-match press conference in which coach Jurgen Klopp and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold shared their thoughts. Liverpool's travelling contingent headed to Milan this afternoon.

KLOPP: "INTER ARE A TOP TEAM"

Jurgen Klopp was keen to express his admiration for Simone Inzaghi's side ahead of Wednesday's game:

"Inter are a top team; they've got great players, a wonderful coach, and are the Serie A reigning champions.

"With all due respect to all other Italian teams I think Inter are the best in their league. They're tight at the back, creative, and well organised. They've got a lot of great individuals as well. We'll need to be on our A-game if we're to come out on top.

"While the away goals rule has been abolished we won't be changing our approach. We won't be thinking about the return leg at Anfield during tomorrow's game. We want to get a good result at San Siro."

HENDERSON INJURY UPDATE

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson also was involved in Tuesday's training session despite having picked up a knock to his knee in his side's 1-0 victory over Burnley. Klopp gave the latest on his skipper:

"He's doing well; he took a blow to the knee and today is only his - and many others - second recovery day. We had a long session out there on the pitch. I'm not worried; he's got this visible injury which doesn't look great but he's actually fine."

ALL PLAYERS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING NEW SIGNING LUIS DIAZ

Jurgen Klopp has all of his players available: none are missing through injury or suspension. Two key forwards are back in the fold for Liverpool: Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have just come back from the African Cup of Nations having both played the entire tournament, with the former's side overcoming the latter's. Klopp gave his thoughts on their participation:

"We need fresh legs, but it's important that we can make five substitutions in the Champions League [N.B. - in the Premier League only three changes are permitted.] Salah and Mane are back with us; they're real forces of nature."

New signing Luis Diaz, who joined the club in January from Porto, is also ready to take to the field on Wednesday.

LIVERPOOL'S RECENT FORM

Liverpool beat Burnley 1-0 in the Premier League last weekend, thanks to a Fabinho goal. The Reds sit second in the league, trailing Manchester City by nine points, but have a game in hand. So far in 2022 Liverpool are unbeaten: they have won seven games and drawn twice, and have also won six on the bounce.

LIVERPOOL'S 2021/22 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SO FAR

Liverpool finished top of Group B: they are one of three teams to have won all of their six games alongside Ajax and Bayern Munich, scoring 17 goals and conceding six on the way.

15/09: Liverpool 3-1 Milan  28/09: Porto 1-5 Liverpool  19/10: Atletico 2-3 Liverpool 03/11: Liverpool 2-0 Atletico 24/11: Liverpool 2-0 Porto  07/12: Milan 1-2 Liverpool 

Scorers: Salah 7, Firmino 2, Mane 2, Henderson 1, Jota 1, Keita 1, Thiago 1, Origi 1, Own Goals 1