Klopp on hospitalised Grujic, Matip and Fabregas

Matt Stead

Jurgen Klopp has delivered fitness updates on Marko Grujic, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan.

Grujic and Klavan both picked up injuries in Liverpool’s 1-0 pre-season defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday, in which Gary Cahill scored the only goal.

Summer signing Klavan picked up a “knock” after a challenge from Cesc Fabregas, who was sent off in the friendly in Los Angeles.

Klopp revealed that the Chelsea midfielder apologised after the game.

“It’s a red card and I hope it’s not a mentality issue,” he said. “He came in the dressing room and said sorry, he came too late in the challenge.

“Sometimes in life if you are too late then you get a red card. That’s how it was.

“It was just a knock for Klavan. I think he will be okay..

“It was a normal intensity with a few hard challenges,” he added, discussing the game. The players are not in 100% shape so sometimes they can be a bit late with their challenges. That’s how it is.

“The ref thought from the beginning he would show yellow cards.

“I don’t think the game was too hard but it was far away from a friendly game. That’s okay. That’s why we’re here.”

Klopp added that his biggest concern is over midfielder Grujic, who suffered a clash of heads with Bertrand Traore.

“In general the biggest problem for me is that Marko Grujic is in hospital,” Klopp said. “He can’t remember anything. That’s not too cool for a young boy in this situation.

“Injuries happen in pre-season. It can happen. It’s unlucky but it’s not too good for us.”

But the manager had more positive news on the fitness of defender Matip, who has been sidelined with an ankle problem.

“Matip will be ready for the start of the season,” Klopp said. “In the first two and a half weeks of pre-season he was really good. Now he’s been out for a week.

“He trained today so hopefully he will be back in team training soon.”