WOLVERHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes an early injury to defender Dejan Lovren highlighted why he chose to name a second-string side in bowing out of the FA Cup 2-1 to Wolves on Monday (Tuesday morning, Singapore time).
Klopp made nine changes to the side that lost for the first time in the Premier League this season to Manchester City last Thursday, with Lovren one of only two players to retain their place.
However, the Croatian pulled up with a hamstring injury after just six minutes and was replaced by 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever.
"Hamstring, is what I heard - without any signs before," said Klopp on what forced Lovren off. "I asked everybody, no signs, nothing, just out of the blue, so that's the decision you have to make.
"I am not sure what you all would have said if immediately from the beginning if our centre-half situation was Fabinho and Ki-Jana; then probably a few very smart people would tell me that I don't respect the competition or whatever."
Goals from Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves either side of half-time sent the hosts into round four, where they will face Shrewsbury or Stoke City, despite Divock Origi's fine strike briefly bringing Liverpool level after the break.
Hoever's introduction meant Liverpool fielded three teenagers for the majority of the match with Rafael Camacho and Curtis Jones also handed debuts.
However it was the visitors' most experienced player, Milner, who was at fault for the opening goal when Diogo Jota caught the former England international in possession in midfield and put Jimenez clean through for the Mexican to score his seventh goal of the season.
Without Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Liverpool were struggling to get any momentum going forward.
But the visitors were level out of nothing when Origi collected a loose ball on the edge of the area six minutes into the second period and smashed the ball high past John Ruddy.
Wolves, though, have made a habit of upsetting the Premier League's established top six in their first season back in the top flight.
After beating Chelsea and Tottenham and holding City, Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League, Liverpool can now be added to the list of scalps for Nuno Espirito Santo's side thanks to a wonder strike from Neves.
"He has talent, he has done it before and we encourage him to shoot from range," said Wolves boss Santo. "It was a good strike."
Only a brilliant save from Ruddy denied Xherdan Shaqiri a stunning equaliser and Liverpool a replay as the Swiss's free-kick was touched onto the inside of the post by the Wolves goalkeeper.
Klopp had a final roll of the dice by throwing on Salah and Firmino for the final 20 minutes, but even their firepower failed to spark a fightback and Klopp's team selection will now be seriously questioned as he is still to deliver a trophy in his four seasons in charge.
However, with Liverpool still in pole position to deliver a first league title in 29 years, the German coach defended his selection to minimise the chance of his stars suffering injuries.
"We played a similar line-up and had three tough games in the last couple of weeks, so it was clear we had to change," Klopp added after a run of four Premier League games in 13 days over the festive period.
"The intensity of the last few games gave me the information it was not possible to start with these three up front. Only Dejan played a lot of games in the last three or four weeks, pretty much all the games...He played today and was injured."
Ranieri's appointment was announced today, and the manager's job is to save Fulham from relegation. And Ladbrokes has Ranieri on 7/4 to sign Danny Drinkwater in the January transfer window. Drinking water has been told that he can leave the blues when the right offer comes in, and the chance to meet Ranieri again could seduce the midfielder.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: Chelsea Player ratings | Premier League
Jürgen Klopp accepts Liverpool face a 'big challenge' as they attempt to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit against FC Barcelona tonight - but insisted his side are not finished in the tie. Despite a strong display, the Reds suffered a 3-0 reversal in last week's first meeting at Camp
Liverpool News: Why the Reds must go all out for Donny van de
Premier League: Willian Gem Sinks Newcastle United As Chelsea
Belgium have risen to the top of the FIFA World Ranking for the first time ever, knocking Argentina off the summit. Marc Wilmots' side moved into first place thanks to their 3-1 Euro 2016
England up to sixth in FIFA rankings after run to World Cup
Aston Villa will return to the top flight after a three year absence. Aston Villa held off a late fightback from Derby County to win promotion back to the Premier League with victory in the
Villa return to Premier League with win over Derby County
Manchester United's perfect record under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has
David de Gea: Man United not satisfied despite wins
Yorke, 47, said: "This game was so big for the club. The constant talk was that we hadn't won it since 1968, this was our chance. "Before we went out, the gaffer told us to go out and make
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why Paul Pogba is his champion
Wood double gives Burnley win over Cardiff in relegation scrap
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink Wolves. Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink Wolves Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk
UPDATE 2-Soccer-Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah
Clearly, the pace has changed for the Lakers. After saying last summer the Lakers are intent on building a team that will be a contender for years and not just in the short term, team president
LeBron James-Less Lakers Compete, But Jazz End Two-Game
Trust in players crucial: Nazri : He will assist new Lions handler, armed with local knowledge and stint as interim coach. Jun 05, 2019 - The Straits Times (Singapore)
Football: Even if they come on for just five minutes, I trust
Spanish media call for Valverde axe. Barcelona's Lionel Messi reportedly broke down in tears in the dressing room after his team's 4-0 loss to Liverpool, and 4-3 on aggregate, in the second leg of
The Straits Times - Breaking News, Lifestyle & Multimedia News
Paris Saint-Germain were flying, Manchester United were in free fall and British pundits feared for the worst. Read more at straitstimes.com. Buffon calls on PSG to show 'spirit of sacrifice
Buffon calls on PSG to show 'spirit of sacrifice'
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Rare N'Golo Kante goal saves Blues in snoozefest. Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea: The Frenchman's second-half strike was as Palace showed how they play football that
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Player Ratings as Kante strike
0 comments:
Post a Comment