Jurgen Klopp has explained his decision to drop Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson for Liverpool’s huge clash at Chelsea.
Liverpool play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night as they look to bounce back after being thrashed 4-1 at Manchester City last Saturday.
With such a quick turnaround, changes were expected from both sides but few could have seen such a different starting XI for the Reds.
Klopp made six changes from the loss at the Etihad, with the most notable being Salah, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson dropping to the bench, while Virgil van Dijk was absent from the match day squad completely.
Just ahead of the team news dropping, it was revealed that Van Dijk’s absence was down to illness.
The quartet have been pivotal players for Liverpool for many seasons and this is only the second time since 2017 that all four of them have not started a Premier League game.
‘Virgil’s unavailable. All the rest, some get rest, some need rest,’ Klopp told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off.
‘All the others get opportunities to show up tonight. It was clear we needed new ideas.
‘We need fresh minds. We are not overly happy so there must be an opportunity for other players to show what they can do.
‘It didn’t work out in the last weeks so that’s the moment when you have to make changes. I really hope we can show the reaction. As a group we have to show a reaction.
‘Saturday, Tuesday is always something when you have to think about changes. I think things combined a little bit because we are not overly happy.’
Meanwhile, Chelsea are playing their first game since sacking Graham Potter, and interim boss Bruno Saltor makes two changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Aston Villa last Saturday.
Wesley Fofana and N’Golo Kante come in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mykhailo Mudryk, with Kante named captain.
MORE : Ruben Loftus-Cheek warns Chelsea teammates not to repeat Manchester United mistake against Liverpool
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