Jurgen Klopp says he never asks his Liverpool players if they are tired when making decisions about his team selection.
Talking during his pre-Manchester City press conference, the Liverpool boss suggested that the players are so focused that it would be a waste of time for him to ask.
“They are completely in a tunnel. They want to play, play, play, play, play, want to be successful, win everything, that’s what they want to do,” said Klopp via Liverpool FC on Youtube.
“That’s why I don’t ask players, are you tired? (They say) No, why, do I look like? All these kind of things. So I have to make a decision without talking a lot. Just make it, deal with it and go from there. It’s my responsibility, right or wrong.”
It’s great that Liverpool have players with such a strong mentality. The reality is though, that the season is long and the games come thick and fast. As much as they might want to, no one can play them all.
Unfamiliar territory for regular starters
Klopp’s team selection for the game against Benfica last night would have raised one or two eyebrows for sure.
The Reds got an excellent result away in Portugal but the game still wasn’t sewn up. With Villarreal beating Bayern Munich the night before, the draw has opened up nicely for Liverpool. To go out against Benfica last night would have been unforgivable.
Jurgen had faith in his changes though and they saw the job through for Liverpool.
The boss did of course make changes throughout the game, and what changes they were. All of Salah, Sadio Mane, Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho aren’t used to not starting games when fit but that’s what they had to make do with last night.
Ringing the changes
Ironically, the substitutions seemed to have a slightly reverse effect on Liverpool last night. Although on paper they should have strengthened the team, The Reds went on to concede two late goals as Benfica made a late rally.
All things told it was a good decision by Klopp to ring the changes. Key members of his squad were in need of a break and Liverpool advanced to the last four of the Champions League without too much drama.
Onto City again now this weekend. Another big game and more minutes will need to be managed with Manchester United visiting Anfield on Tuesday.
That’s exactly what we want at this stage of the season, though. With Klopp keeping a close eye on his players’ workload, they should all be nice and fresh for a huge end to the season.
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