James Milner required 15 stitches to a wound received in a clash of heads with Mario Rui during Liverpool's 5-0 crushing of Napoli, manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed.
The Reds was irresistible in its penultimate pre-season friendly, as it swiftly broke into a 2-0 lead – Milner powering it ahead in the fourth minute and then, setting up Georginio Wijnaldum.
Mohamed Salah, Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno rounded things off in the second half, securing an emphatic victory.
READ: Arsenal 2 Lazio 0: Nelson and Aubameyang seal routine win
But, an injury to Milner after the break put a downer on proceedings for the Reds, with Fabinho subsequently replacing him. "James Milner played a brilliant game before going off with a crazy cut," Klopp told reporters.
"[He's had] a lot of stitches, 15, and you don't want that in that position in your face. But then, he is quite positive about it, but probably nobody showed him the mirror so far!"
"Hopefully, it will be good and that's very important. It's not about celebrating the moment, it's about working for the big moments."
ALSO READ: Championship Review: Swans blunts Blades as Bolton stuns West Brom
Sturridge's goal was his third of pre-season, as he targets an injury-free season with the Reds following a difficult few years.
The England striker spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom, which was relegated from the top flight, but he is now focused on performing at Anfield and not worrying about fitness issues.
"I'm just having an attitude of enjoying myself and not putting any pressure on myself or worrying about anything I can't control. I'm just worrying about what I can control, which is what I can do [on the pitch]," Sturridge said.
Comments
SHARE