Klopp expected to name strong team as Liverpool travel to Russia in Europa League

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to take a strong squad to Russia on Wednesday for the Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan. Most of the players who were involved in the weekend win at Chelsea are scheduled to travel, although one definite absentee will be Joao Teixeira, who is ineligible for the competition.

Liverpool at the very least have to avoid defeat in Kazan if they are to avoid a tricky conclusion to their Group B campaign. They currently trail leaders Sion (on seven points) by three and are ahead of Kazan by only a point with Bordeaux to follow in their final home game ahead a trip to Switzerland in December.

SEE MORE: 3D animation of Coutinho’s first goal for Liverpool against Chelsea.

Klopp named a strong side for the home game against Kazan, which ended in a third successive 1-1 draw in Europe.

Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho hopes his performance against Chelsea on Saturday can kick-start his season. The Brazilian playmaker had been below his best prior to his two goals at Stamford Bridge that set the Reds on the way to a 3-1 victory. It gave Klopp the first Premier League win of his tenure, and Coutinho hopes there is plenty more to come.

He told the Liverpool website:

“For me, it was great. I wasn’t playing so well and hadn’t scored for a while, so I was glad to score again and help the team.

“I hope (it can be a turning point for me), I hope so. Sometimes when you play, things don’t always go well, but I always work hard.

“I’m always looking to improve and I hope from now on I’ll continue improving; not only me, but the team, which is the most important thing.”

Meanwhile, youngster Jordon Ibe has hailed the methods of Klopp, saying he feels “like a new player.” The 19-year-old came off the bench at Stamford Bridge and played a part in Christian Benteke’s clinching goal.

Ibe said:

“There is a lot of learning in training. There are times when we are watching and he is explaining something. We have quite a few meetings where he shows us things on video from previous games. It’s great to learn and I’m enjoying it.

“Everything is fresh. I feel like a new player and it’s for me to keep improving and trying to stand out in training. I feel good – the whole team are feeling great and fresh.

“We’ve won two games, so it’s still new. We just need to win a few more now and I am sure that mentality and confidence will come where we think, ‘We can go there and beat them.'”