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Jurgen Klopp is set to hand Joe Allen his first Premier League start of the season in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Swansea City at Anfield.

The Wales international is expected to get the call to replace Lucas Leiva, who serves a one-match ban after collecting five bookings.

Klopp revealed that he took Allen off in Thursday’s win over Bordeaux with one eye on the showdown with the midfielder’s former club.

“I hope Lucas is not a big miss,” he said.

“Joe Allen came in on Thursday and it was very important that he could play 60 very good minutes. I took him out because of Sunday’s match.”

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Klopp admits there are some big boots to fill considering how well Lucas has performed since his appointment.

“I like players like Lucas and he’s improved since we’ve been here,” he added

“He’s adapted to the style of play better and better. It’s an important position in the middle of the pitch at the heart of the game.

“He can be more dominant in games but he has a really good personality which you need in that position.

“Initially, I thought both Lucas and Emre (Can) had five yellows but it turns out that Emre only has four.”

Captain Jordan Henderson is continuing to build up his fitness with Klopp admitting the Reds midfielder is desperate to get back playing after three and a half months out with a heel injury and then a broken foot.

However, the boss says the skipper is not yet ready for action.

“I’m waiting for him,” Klopp said.

“He’s always (knocking) on the door. He wants to play. I like this but it’s a big step. How can he adapt to the intensity?

“He needs to be perfect physically. He has to be really fit, not just 50%. When he’s in that shape we can use him.

“We’ll see every day how he adapts to the intensity of the previous day. When he’s ready then he will join in because he’s an important player for us.”

Youngster Jordan Rossiter has also resumed full training following his recovery from a hamstring strain. He is likely to feature in Monday night’s under-21s clash with Manchester United.

Klopp says he will leave it late before deciding whether Christian Benteke leads the line once again following his match-winning display in Europe.

“We will see. I don’t know in this moment whether Christian is able to play two games in three days,” he added.

“I’ll give myself time to decide tomorrow or even Sunday when I get the final information.

“We have analysed Swansea’s last game and we’ve seen their strengths. There are no easy games in this league.

“We will have to play well to find the spaces. For us the most important think is to be at the game from the first second.

“If everybody is prepared for a big fight then it will be a good game.”