Jurgen Klopp will include a number of Academy rookies in his Liverpool squad for the Merseyside derby – but he's hoping they won't be required.

The Reds have registered squad numbers with the Premier League for Curtis Jones, Rafael Camacho, Liam Millar, Herbie Kane, Adam Lewis and Nathaniel Phillips.

Jones, Camacho and Conor Masterson, who was on the bench for the Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City in midweek, are the most likely to be involved against Everton.

Klopp is facing an injury crisis and is also wary of over-burdening his star men ahead of Tuesday's second leg at the Etihad.

Asked he had concerns about throwing any of the youngsters straight into the derby, he said: “Honestly, yes. If I would say now ‘no’ then they would have played already.

“Why should we do that? They are young, they are good, they are talents. It’s good to be a talent but the next level is another one.

“If I can avoid it I will try not to use them to show we have so much problems. The boys have to sort it. That will not happen as long as I can avoid it.

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“But having them around, giving them the feeling that they are closer and closer, which they are, I have no problem with that.

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“For sure one or two will be in the squad. That’s clear. If they play it's because I think they are ready in that situation.

“We brought in six. With the three really long-term injuries, it made sense because we had a training group that was not 25 players.”

Klopp's major concern is in midfield following the loss of Emre Can and Adam Lallana.

The manager had initially hoped to have Germany international Can available this weekend but his back injury will keep him out for at least another fortnight.

James Pearce reacts to Klopp's pre-derby press conference

“It’s quite difficult to judge. For sure, it is not a short term thing,” he said.

“I heard that people say he is out for the season but I don’t think that is decided.

“He is not involved on Saturday, not on Tuesday and for sure not next Saturday. Then we will see, maybe something will improve or not.”

Captain Jordan Henderson will play against Everton but he's banned for the second leg against City.

James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all be required at the Etihad. However, Klopp will have little option but to start at two least of that trio at Goodison.

“If I have no other options then I cannot say I will leave them out because of the risk,” he added.

“We need to be there, we need to play. The three (serious injuries) were not in the best moment.

“Joel Matip was the most rotated centre-half in world football and he had a very strange situation which was not even a football situation and that is unlucky, nothing else.

“Adam (Lallana) we all know, while Joe (Gomez) was with the national team, jumping up, coming down and he only played each second game for us.

“We have to deal with it. It is my job to make the best of the situation and that is what I do.

“If you say 'okay Hendo can play, leave Gini and Milly out', please make the line-up and tell me who will play? It would be difficult.”