Latest Liverpool news: Carragher wants Klopp to rotate squad at Barcelona

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher wants our boss Jurgen Klopp to rest one of his team’s star forwards in the first leg against Barcelona if Manchester City drop points against Manchester United.

Manchester City’s European dream ended against Tottenham earlier this week, which saw a last-minute winner from Raheem Sterling overruled by VAR. Simultaneously, Liverpool mauled FC Porto 6-1 to ease into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Reds reached last year’s Champions League final before falling 3-1 to Real Madrid, although we didn’t have a title challenge to deal with back then. That isn’t the case this season and Jamie Carragher has backed Klopp to take a bold decision by resting one of his front three in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

“Liverpool’s success has brought dilemmas for Klopp that he would have welcomed when this season began, but which now present him with unenviable decisions,” Carragher wrote in the Telegraph.

“Liverpool have already suffered one setback. When Uefa decided Liverpool will play their first leg against Barcelona on Wednesday, May 1, this made life more difficult for Klopp.

“I would not criticise Klopp if he left out one his front three in the first leg to ensure they are ready [for Newcastle].”

Klopp’s side must play Barcelona twice and travel to St. James’ Park within the space of six days, and the former Reds’ defender has advised our gaffer to either rest one of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino against Newcastle.

Klopp’s squad management has to be spot on

Now is the most crucial juncture of the period where a single mistake can cost us the Premier League title. Klopp’s focus has to be on keeping the pressure on City, who travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Wednesday.

Our gaffer simply cannot afford to rest either one of the front three as every game in this period is vital. We cannot take risks as Klopp should give equal importance to both the Premier League and the Champions League.

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That being said, Jamie Carragher’s advice would be better off ignored.