Klopp starts to explain tactical thinking behind Liverpool subs

Firmino Mane TEAMtalk

Jurgen Klopp has revealed some the thinking behind the substitutions that aided Saturday’s 3-1 win over Newcastle.

Liverpool boss Klopp brought on Roberto Firmino for the injured Divock Origion 37 minutes before introducing James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri late on at Anfield.

The German hailed Firmino’s ‘display as “phenomenal” and while his introduction was somewhat forced due to Origi’s injury, Klopp has explained some of the tactics behind the move.

“It was the right decision and we had changed in the game already because Div was a bit too wide, Mo was a bit too wide, Sadio, he can play that position as good as anybody, but we decided to change because we wanted Sad a bit more flexible [and] coming from the wing inside,” Klopp told the club’s website.

“Then Div unfortunately showed up that he cannot carry on and hopefully that’s not too serious, to be honest. It didn’t happen in that situation when he went down, it was early, very early in the game on the sideline I think. So that he could carry on makes me hope it’s not too serious.

“But of course, what Bobby did then on the pitch: phenomenal! Nice game!”

Firmino provided two assists, the second one a brilliant flick into Mohamed Salah’s path, as the Reds made it five wins from five Premier League games this season.

That prompted several rounds of the Brazilian’s ‘Si Senor’ chant and Klopp says he was almost signing along.

“I was close to singing it!” Klopp added.

“No, it was really good. We knew that he could play, it’s not about that, it’s just that he had the trip he had. They [Firmino and fellow Brazil international Fabinho] were in Miami and LA and arrived on Thursday morning after playing Tuesday night. It’s really difficult to judge these situations and that’s why we made the decision.”