Jon Flanagan's absence from Liverpool's 21-man squad for the knockout stages of the Europa League is only to allow him the required recovery time in between Barclays Premier League games, Jürgen Klopp has said.
The 23-year-old full-back confirmed his return from an 18-month spell on the sidelines through a knee injury, with first-team appearances against Exeter City and Stoke City.
But despite his return to full fitness, Flanagan was recently excluded from the changed roster for the Reds' Last 32 tie with FC Augsburg later this month.
Explaining his decision to the press prior to their clash with Sunderland, Klopp explained that they aren't willing to take the risk of having the Scouse defender in the team because of his rehabilitation specifications.
Talking to journalists at the club's Melwood training ground on Friday afternoon, Klopp referred to the fact that it was "18 months" out and said that "the best news is that Jan is involved, back in the race and back on the pitch" which he explained is "really good."
However, the German added that "in this moment, it's like it is" and in such a "really early" period after such a lengthy injury, they "have to be careful when he's playing."
The Reds boss spoke of the constant medical advice he gets, telling him that "Flanno needs two or three days' recovery" after playing in games, because of the "seriousness of the injury" as opposed to the player thinking he needs it.
Flanagan's absence nothing to do with player ability, says Klopp
He said that he "had to make decisions" with the European squad and insisted that it's not his hobby "to disappoint players" and especially not Flanagan, who he said has "done nothing wrong until now."
But the manager continued, saying that it's "three games a week" and they will have at least "two more games in the Europa League for sure, but hopefully a lot more, and they're always between other games."
He described the "problem" they have had with Martin Skrtel getting "re-injured" and needing "another two or three weeks out injured" and said that "in the centre-half and offensive situations, we've had our problems."
"You cannot believe how difficult it is to make a European squad," joked Klopp, who brought in Steven Caulker, Danny Ward and Joao Carlos Teixeira to replace Adam Bogdan and long-term absentees Joe Gomez and Danny Ings.
He said that it's "always difficult" and said that "you think of this player, or this player" but said that given Flanagan's "[injury] history this year, the decision was like this."