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Jurgen Klopp tells Trent Alexander-Arnold to expect time on the bench
Jurgen Klopp has told teenage Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold he will have to accept being rested during Nathaniel Clyne’s ongoing absence despite an eye-catching start to the season.
England international Clyne did not feature in Liverpool’s pre-season because of back and hamstring problems and is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme.
Alexander-Arnold, 18, has stepped up admirably and rewarded Klopp’s faith with a goal from a free-kick in a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim in the first leg of Liverpool's Champions League play-off earlier this week.
The Liverpool-born Academy graduate will retain his place at right-back for their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday.
Although the youngster has been warned by the Liverpool manager that he will have to face being rested as part of his development.
Klopp said: “It would have been a good situation for Trent to play games and try to understand but I don’t think we can let him play five games in 14 days or something like this so that’s the situation.
“Why? Because he is 18. It’s about bringing the player in a better situation to deal better with the intensity of the game.
“He has not had the time other players (have had) to do this. Yes, he is a big talent but I think we speak too much about him. That’s not my problem because I want a situation where the boy can develop, make mistakes.”
Joe Gomez and Jon Flanagan are Klopp’s other potential options at right-back while James Milner filled in at left-back last season and could also be used in the position.
Klopp has been impressed with Alexander-Arnold’s progression but admits the player is far from the finished article.
“It’s up and down a bit more with younger players,” Klopp explained.
“Trent’s a young boy with a few more skills than the others, 100%, but it’s not just the goal or the free kick - it was the other set pieces, the crosses were very good.
“He has a lot to learn, a lot to adapt. I can only change situations if I have the opportunities but can we have five full backs come through? Of course not. There are a lot of challenges.
“Until he is 35 and 36 and finished his career it’s a long way. Having already played and scored in the Champions League is really nice.”
Klopp, meanwhile, has revealed there is no time frame on when Clyne, 26, will make his comeback from injury.
“The Clyne situation is difficult because he had no pre-season and for us a player we did not think about too much because he was always available,” added the German.
“Is there a timescale? No. We sorted it and with all experts and everything, not just our own medical department.
“Having a rest and doing a program in the summer, he will be sorted. He started again and was not. That’s how medicine is. I have had situations like this.
“For us it’s another situation which is not perfect. We work on these things to find a solution.”