Jurgen Klopp admits that Liverpool are entering 'the toughest period in world football' - as the injury-struck Reds prepare to play EIGHT games in just 23 days

Liverpool are about to enter the toughest period in world football, according to manager Jurgen Klopp, but the German insists his squad is strong enough to continue to compete on four fronts as his side begin a run of eight games in 23 days.

The Reds made nine changes for the visit of Austrian side LASK in the Europa League on Thursday night, with a thumping 4-0 win highlighting their strength in depth. Klopp’s side are two points off leaders Arsenal in the league, and still in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

And the manager said his squad will be pushed to its limits over the festive period, with high-profile players such as Alisson, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota injured. ‘I am not sure we can rotate all the time, it depends on who is available,’ he said.

‘We have to do it as well as we can but I don’t know if we can. We saw Newcastle playing in the Champions League with two goalies and three kids on the bench. That is really tough. We have to make sure we have as many available. The toughest period in world football is coming up.’

Caoimhin Kelleher will continue to deputise for injured keeper Alisson and Klopp added: ‘We see him every day, he is an exceptional talent, John Achterberg (goalkeeper coach) from day one he told me this will be our homegrown boy, he will make it, he was a boy now a man.

‘He is in general a focused person and will not see him in a bar tonight celebrating the clean sheet, one step now we have discussions in the summer but as long as we don’t have a solution we can’t loan players. The first responsibility is to do the best for Liverpool.’

Liverpool host Fulham on Sunday having won each of their first 10 home games this season, all of which by a two-goal margin at least. The visit of Marco Silva’s side is also a chance for Mo Salah to take up his double-century at the club, with the Egyptian now on 199 Liverpool goals.