Klopp admits surprise at Genk selection which made life hard for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted that Genk’s use of 6′ 7″striker Paul Onuachu in Wednesday’s Champions League clash was a surprise and caused his side problems.

The Reds eased to a 4-1 win in the end through an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brace and a goal each for Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, but Onuachu caused the visitors lots of problems throughout the game before he was substituted.

Due to Liverpool’s full-backs advancing up the pitch, simple balls over the top allowed Onuachu to get a clear run at goal and he almost levelled the scores at 1-1 before Alisson tipped a strong shot away from his goal.

Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Klopp said that his size and strength were often hard to deal with.

The opponent plays usually differently, but today they brought their tallest player I saw for a while and he did well,” the manager said.

 

 

“It was really difficult to get the first ball already and then for the second ball they had a better formation because we were constantly in possession.”

Asked about how far Liverpool are off their best form following a strong win, Klopp replied: “That’s not too important. I don’t think We don’t have to make too much of it.

“We had two away games with United and this one and they were both difficult for different reasons.

“I don’t know where we are – that’s not important – but I know where we have to be [against Tottenhan] Sunday. So that’s for sure, but that’s a different story anyway.”

Liverpool could head into Sunday’s clash with Spurs having seen their Premier League lead cut to two points if Manchester City can beat Aston Villa on Saturday.