Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been benched for Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea due to fatigue levels.
Daniel Sturridge replaces Firmino to spearhead Liverpool’s attack, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starts only his second Premier League game of the campaign.
Dejan Lovren misses out through injury but Joel Matip makes his return from a thigh problem.
James Milner, meanwhile, makes a rare start in central midfield ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum.
‘Dejan Lovren is not able to play, he’s a little bit injured, like Emre [Can], so that’s the reason for that change,’ Klopp told BT Sport.
‘We need to use the quality of the squad. I have absolute trust in the squad but then I have to show it.
‘We cannot let the other boys play until they can’t play anymore, I said it before, so that’s why we change.
‘We have fresh legs in, still quality with fantastic options to change in the game – so, good.
‘I would say Ox would play similar to how Sadio plays with his own specific skills of course involved.
‘Milly is just experience and desire, a really good footballer and is really important for us to protect and defend situations.’
More: Chelsea FC
Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been benched for Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea due to fatigue levels.
Daniel Sturridge replaces Firmino to spearhead Liverpool’s attack, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starts only his second Premier League game of the campaign.
Dejan Lovren misses out through injury but Joel Matip makes his return from a thigh problem.
James Milner, meanwhile, makes a rare start in central midfield ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum.
‘Dejan Lovren is not able to play, he’s a little bit injured, like Emre [Can], so that’s the reason for that change,’ Klopp told BT Sport.
‘We need to use the quality of the squad. I have absolute trust in the squad but then I have to show it.
‘We cannot let the other boys play until they can’t play anymore, I said it before, so that’s why we change.
‘We have fresh legs in, still quality with fantastic options to change in the game – so, good.
‘I would say Ox would play similar to how Sadio plays with his own specific skills of course involved.
‘Milly is just experience and desire, a really good footballer and is really important for us to protect and defend situations.’
