Jurgen Klopp has held his media conference ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup match with West Ham less than 48 hours after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix.
Klopp missed Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday after falling ill prior to the match and then underwent a successful operation to remove his appendix.
The Liverpool manager returned to work on Monday and is expected to be in the dugout at the Boleyn Ground for Tuesday night’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against West Ham.
“I feel good. A lot of people have had this before. I had one not too good night but I feel good,” he said.
“Our doc said I should go to hospital, I was not too sure, but the surgeon was great – and he was a season ticket holder, so missed the game too.
“I am fit and healthy otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
With Klopp absent, managerial responsibilities against Sunderland fell to the German’s coaching staff that included Zeljko Buvac, Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders and John Achterberg.
A significant number of Liverpool supporters – some estimations suggesting as many as 10,000 – staged a 77th-minute walk out during the clash with the Black Cats in protest at next season’s ticket prices.
Sky sources understand Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool’s senior management team have since held talks over whether to review the new ticket price structure.
The fan groups Spion Kop 1906 and Spirit of Shankly, who organised the protest, have threatened further action and Klopp is hopeful a solution can be found.
“It’s not too easy for me to say much because I wasn’t there,” he said.
“I know it is my problem too, but everything I could say would make it more complicated. I have to collect more information because the club is speaking to find a solution.
“It is not what we want for fans to leave the stadium before the match is finished.”
Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi are all in contention to feature for Liverpool against West Ham as they attempt to set up a fifth-round tie with Blackburn Rovers.
“Daniel was fit enough to be on the bench on Saturday and was impressive on Friday in training,” Klopp said.
“I hope to have Divock and Philippe Coutinho in the squad tomorrow.
“It is complicated because extra-time is possible. They can’t all start together because then we have to make three changes.”
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