Jurgen Klopp has backed Gini Wijnaldum to fill the boots of Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson at Manchester City on Tuesday.

Henderson is suspended from the Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Etihad having been booked towards the end of last Wednesday's first meeting.

Liverpool, who go into into the return match with a 3-0 advantage, are almost certain to also be without Emre Can due to a back injury.

With his midfield options limited, Klopp selected Wijnaldum for the holding role in Saturday's goalless Goodison derby against Everton.

And the Reds boss was impressed with the Dutchman's performance as he revealed Wijnaldum is primed to replicate the job against City.

“That was obviously the plan to use the chance and yes, it was good,” said Klopp.

“Gini is a brilliant player for an attacking midfielder, he is creative, he is good with the ball, he can fix the ball and he has good vision and everything and he can jump to the roof.

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“He is physically strong, so that’s good. But we only had two days of training (before the derby) and we constantly trained 11 v 11 to give him the practice.

“He did really good. In the first half there was no pressure and he started dribbling in a moment when I was like 'okay, you want to put grey hairs on my head!'.

“But the whole performance was mature and I like that.”

Klopp was keen to keep minds focused on Saturday's derby despite the obvious distraction of the Champions League quarter-final.

But the Reds boss says the pressure of fighting on two fronts at this stage of the season shows Liverpool are making progress.

“I've been sleeping 100% fine!” said Klopp. “It is intense and it will stay that way until the end of the season but it is always a sign for success if you still have still stress in April. If you do, something is okay.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Would it be a perfect week if we go through against City? It would be really cool but it would be the midweek. The perfect week is if we beat Bournemouth afterwards. So far, so good.

“Since the international break a lot of things happen and it is not the moment for us to be celebrating and jumping up and down.

“We really need to stay serious and we are always thinking about recovery, who can give their best for 90 minutes. That is the plan in professional football.”