Taking ’em for a spin
Klopp defends rotation after Liverpool held again
LONDON: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp insisted he won’t ditch his rotation policy after the German’s decision to make six changes backfired in a 0-0 draw against lowly West Bromwich Albion.
Klopp claimed Liverpool were unlucky as they were denied victory when Dominic Solanke had a goal ruled out for handball with eight minutes left at Anfield on Wednesday.
Solanke’s disallowed goal was the main talking point, but the discussion before kick-off centred around the Liverpool manager’s decision to significantly alter the team who were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Everton on Sunday.
Klopp recalled Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, both surprisingly named on the bench against Everton, to form a powerful attacking threat along with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
He also brought Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum into midfield, named Trent Alexander-Arnold in place of Joe Gomez at rightback and replaced Simon Mignolet with Loris Karius in goal.
Klopp said that Mignolet was rested as a precaution after picking up an ankle knock against Everton, and said he felt the team he picked was capable of winning the game.
His selections have come under the spotlight for the number of times he switches personnel; he has made no fewer than 65 changes to his starting line-ups in the English Premier League this season, more than any other manager in the division.
Asked if he felt his selection against West Brom worked, Klopp said: “That’s not my job to talk about. I made the decision already, and if we don’t win, for me, it’s like it didn’t work.
“That happens quite a lot in the life of a manager. But it would make no sense to be too frustrated about that.
“I was 100% convinced about this line-up, like I was 100% convinced about the last line-up. But this time at least you cannot blame me for it, or probably you will, I’m not sure.” Klopp felt that Solanke’s disallowed goal was a borderline decision, even though television replays suggested that it was handball.
“It’s difficult. For me, it’s twice deflected and I’m still not sure if the hand was with the ball. It looks like chest. In the game it looked 100% like chest,” he said.
“Afterwards I had a few replays, there’s an arm but not sure if he touches the ball.”