Liverpool were held to a draw at the weekend. The Reds journeyed to Brighton and played out another clash marred by VAR. There were a number of turning points in the game and one of the most crucial came in the 74th minute. Jürgen Klopp should have brought on Rhys Williams instead of Curtis Jones.
Liverpool held at Brighton
Another early Saturday kick off, another game where the Reds fail to get going.
When the pressure is turned on and the players have time to rest and prepare, Liverpool are often excellent.
When they face up to an early Saturday kick off having played on Wednesday evening, the Reds are often lacklustre.
This weekend was no different yet Liverpool looked like they’d once again done just enough when Diogo Jota put the side ahead after an hour.
However, a late equaliser from a controversial penalty gave the hosts a point in acrimonious circumstances.
James Milner injury
After 74 minutes Liverpool’s Mr. Professional limped off.
James Milner picked up a hamstring problem with less than a quarter of the game remaining.
Having already brought off Neco Williams for Jordan Henderson at halftime, the boss was left with a big decision to make.
In the end, it’s this writer’s opinion that the decision Jürgen Klopp made was the wrong one.
Klopp should have brought on Rhys Williams
After Milner went down the boss decided to throw on Curtis Jones.
The Scouser was chucked in at right back, drastically out of position given he played a majority of his academy football off the left wing and in attacking midfield.
The youngster was regularly caught out of position and found wanting in defensive situations.
This let the hosts wrestle control of the game in the final 15.
The substitution was a reckless one by Klopp given the score line.
Liverpool would’ve been better served putting Rhys Williams into the game, shifting Fabinho out to right back.
The Brazilian played at full back on occasion for Monaco and his one on one defending would’ve helped the cause tremendously.
Instead we struggled to repel attacks down our right flank and the hosts grew in confidence.
This was a rare and reckless error from the boss but in his defence he was hamstrung by the number of substitutes allowed and the hectic schedule.
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