‘It is difficult with the full-backs’ – Liverpool Boss Admits To Selection Headaches With The Defence

Jurgen Klopp has suggested that James Milner is no longer his first choice left-back as Alberto Moreno has somehow managed to get himself in the good books of the German.

Alberto Moreno’s high inconsistency and his inability to contribute much in defence saw the Spaniard fall down the pecking order during Klopp’s first season in charge. Liverpool, however, managed to reach two finals in no time, with the defence letting the entire team down. Amongst all, Moreno was criticised the most, and certainly for all right reasons.

The German eventually decided to play James Milner as left-back and the move worked pretty much decently. The former Manchester City midfielder provided some much-needed balance last season, but couldn’t help the team in terms of trophies. Reacting to his team’s defensive woes, Klopp bought Andrew Robertson from Hull City this summer and the 23-year-old was expected to book the slot for himself.

Moreno, on the other hand, performed exceptionally in Liverpool’s pre-season tour and gave Klopp some renewed hopes. It was like a new signing for the team, well… that’s what most of us claimed! Since the turn of the season, Moreno has been preferred as the first choice left-back. The Spaniard started in Liverpool’s Premier League opener – a 3-3 draw against Watford. The following fixture, against Crystal Palace, was allotted to Robertson while the Moreno was a part of Liverpool’s demolition of Arsenal.

There lies a high inconsistency in Klopp’s selection (for the left-back position). Klopp confirmed that Milner is now training as a midfielder and will be Liverpool’s third choice left-back in case both Moreno and Robertson are unavailable.

Klopp said,

“It is difficult with the full-backs.

“Andy Robertson is not often in the squad. He played against Palace, it is so difficult to leave him out, but Alberto Moreno, probably 90% of the people doubted him but he played outstandingly offensively and defensively against Sevilla.

“That is the situation. When we have no second left-back [on the bench] and we have to make a change, he [Milner] would be the left-back without training in this positon because James plays in all the sessions in midfield.”

Milner, on his part, has appeared in all of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures so far but is yet to feature as a left-back.