The international break leaves Jurgen Klopp with little choice – he must utilise his entire squad.
Klopp has essentially stuck with the same team thus far. Not that he’s hiding that – he admitted before the Burnley game that he had little reason to rest players.
After the international break, however, it will have to change. Klopp has found the rhythm he looked for with the 100% start but there are too many varied games coming up.
By varied, we mean the types of challenges. This isn’t like the end of the season where every game feels like a cup final and Liverpool need their best players.
Liverpool return on September 14th and will play every weekend and every midweek until October 5th. In that are a mix of ‘must-wins’ and ‘should-wins’.
The trip to Napoli on the 17th fits into the former – it’s the biggest game in the Champions League group. Just five days later it’s Chelsea away. Klopp will want his strongest team out in both but can he manage that?
Maybe, actually. Liverpool play Newcastle United at Anfield shortly before Napoli – they’ll will expect a win. A trip to MK Dons in the League Cup follows Chelsea before the Reds face Sheffield United away. Again, Liverpool will expect wins.
But it would take a full squad. The best XI can manage the two crunch ties as long as they barely play in the others. The only way to manage that is using everyone available.
The game in Sheffield comes before home games against Salzburg and Leicester City. Both will be tough games, even if the Reds expect victories.
Again, it will take strong lineups to win them. Again, that can only happen if everyone is used over the next month, affording the stars the necessary rest.
Games are coming thick and fast. It’s a difficult period that demands plenty of faith in fringe players – but Klopp has little choice once the international break finishes.
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