Jurgen Klopp explains Liverpool’s dramatic decision that left Jamie Carragher perplexed
Jurgen Klopp set to announce Liverpool line-up changes on Tuesday night to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, much to Jamie Carragher’s surprise
Jurgen Klopp made six changes to his Liverpool side to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a bid to provoke a backlash from his struggling side.
Liverpool were beaten 4-1 by Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side underlined the gap between their rivals. The Reds have been a long way off their usual pace this season and are a long way from Champions League places.
Klopp has decided to make major changes ahead of the midweek match against Chelsea, leaving Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson on the bench. Virgil van Dijk was replaced by Joel Matip due to illness, while Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo were absent from the starting lineup. Liverpool had lost their last three games in all competitions coming up against Chelsea. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off in west London, Klopp explained his decisions were being made in a bid to find some freshness in his ailing side.
When asked how many of his changes were made, he replied, “A few. Virgil is clearly unavailable. And everything else is like, some get a rest, some need a rest, and a lot of players have a chance to show up tonight – and that’s it. “We needed fresh legs – that was clear – we also needed fresh minds. And like I said, it hasn’t been so good for a few weeks, so that’s where you have to bring some So I really hope we can show the reaction, if of course it’s not the same team, but still have to show a reaction as a group.
The changes didn’t seem to have the desired effect as Chelsea dominated the first 45 minutes. Liverpool’s modified back line of Joe Gomez, Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas struggled and Liverpool were lucky as Reece James’ goal was ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was surprised by Klopp’s decision as many of them fell outside his usual selection. “It’s more than you expected and what Jurgen Klopp has done since he arrived is that there are certain players who play every game, you know, and those players, some of whom don’t play not tonight,” he told Sky Sports.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was surprised by Klopp’s decision as many of them fell outside his usual selection.
“It’s more than you expected and what Jurgen Klopp has done since he arrived is that there are certain players who play every game, you know, and those players, some of whom don’t play not tonight,” he told Sky Sports.
“You look at the back four, Virgil van Dijk, it’s due to illness we’re told, but Trent Alexander-Arnold, you still expect to be on that team sheet. Mo Salah is different, Andy Robertson is different. Not only did he change the team, he really changed the pillars that have been there week after week, not just this season, but for years. Does it have to do with the performance against Manchester City?
“Is it related to Liverpool having three tough games in one week? It’s a bit of both. There’s no doubt what happened at the Etihad on Saturday is definitely in the back of his mind and he had to make changes based on that performance.