Richard Keys questions Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool midfield selection in loss to Nottingham Forest
Following Liverpool’s loss to Nottingham Forest, the three grounds in Premier League history wherein the Reds have not yet got a win include Brentford’s Community Stadium, Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road and obviously, the Notts’ City Ground.
This goes to show how good Liverpool are away from home generally. This season though has been a total contrast with the Reds winning only one away game throughout the season, against the Rangers in the UCL.
Apart from that, Liverpool’s choice of midfield in this game was under a lot of scrutiny. Curtis Jones, recently coming off from an injury layoff, started for the first time this season.
Alongside the scouser were Fabinho and Harvey Elliott instead of Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson. The former anyways was ruled out due to an ear infection but Hendo should have started the game as per Richard Keys.
Here is what Keys wrote in his blog (h/t Liverpool Echo):
“Klopp cost Liverpool at Forest. His team selection was all wrong. I know they’ve got injury problems and losing Thiago so late was a real blow, but you can’t then leave out Henderson and Alexander-Arnold.”
“He had babies in mid-field and they weren’t good enough. They tell me that Henderson needs to be ‘managed’ these days. Maybe he does, but he’s only started eight games this season. Surely he’s got more in his tank yet?”
Keys is right here because Klopp really cannot expect youngsters like Jones, Elliott, and Carvalho to shoulder the responsibility in midfield week in, week out. It’s just bad planning in the transfer windows and it has been going on for a couple of seasons now when it comes to midfield.
Midfield Dilemma for Klopp
Fabinho has not been in the best of forms this season, and one could argue that the gaffer could have chosen the skipper Hendo instead of the Brazilian, who could do some time on the sidelines and try and get back into form.
He also pointed out the fact that without Trent Alexander-Arnold, the creative spark in the team goes down and Klopp cannot afford to bench the Scouser. Nevertheless, there is no point in crying over spilt milk.
With the multiple formations the Reds are experimenting with right now, it is important to settle down on one as a permanent one and make sure the game plan stands accordingly, and with the best players starting. Hendo, even with his age, can contribute a lot to the team, especially with his commanding abilities on the field.
More Liverpool News
- Liverpool stars Darwin Nunez and Thiago Alcantara unavailable for Nottingham Forest trip
- Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp lauds the adaptability of Joe Gomez
- Jurgen Klopp says that Liverpool still have a lot of ambitions this season
With so many problems pertaining to the players in the middle of the park, it would be wise if Liverpool look to bring on new players to the club, hopefully in the January transfer window.
