Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has brushed aside claims that he is planning to rest his squad members ahead of the busy Christmas schedule. Talking to the media before the midweek clash against Stoke City, Klopp said that at Liverpool ‘we don’t rest, we use our players’.
I think that’s a strong reaction and the gaffer must be referring to the decision of leaving Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on the bench for the last weekend draw against Chelsea. There were questions about the decision – truth be told, and even I was surprised that the players were benched. However, Klopp said that it was a strategic decision to bench the players and it was not because they were tired.
Klopp insisted that it was all part of squad rotation and that the duo could return for the game against Stoke. This is understandable especially since we have 8 games this month, including the Merseyside derby on December 10 and a trip to the Emirates Stadium on December 22.
Talking about the squad changes, Klopp indicated that Emre Can would return for the Wednesday clash after being left out of the squad for the match against Chelsea.
He also indicated that Dejan Lovren is poised for a return, although the defender’s fitness in training would be monitored before making a call.
Fans took to Twitter to discuss the team changes and had mixed opinions. Here are some of the reactions.
Robertson may have something to say about that.
— ¹⁰ (@CoutinhoPrime) November 28, 2017
So hendo plays 3 times in a week?
— Dave Moriarty (@BigDizzlar) November 28, 2017
When you rest Mane and Firmino, you are resting your best players Klopp get over yourself
— Luka (@ffxsMalik) November 28, 2017
Why don’t you use Robertson?
— Liverpool FC (@alt_lfc) November 28, 2017
Please use Robertson at leftback for the remainder of the season, or revert back to Milner. We hv had enough of Moreno
— Taa (@Tafiedee) November 28, 2017
Firmino are you serious? Rest salah and mane will be a mistake but rest firmino wouldnt make that huge Change
— MOMOJTV (@MOMOJTV) November 28, 2017
M9 I love you but I think it’s high time Robertson Carlos stops resting
— Gajendra (@gajendra0807) November 28, 2017
