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‘You’re killing me with Gini’ Liverpool fans gutted to see duo benched in favour of Wijnaldum

By Russell Hughes

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City battles for possession with Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City battles for possession with Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool duo Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been benched for the Champions League game against Salzburg and fans are gutted.

Manager Jurgen Klopp defied predictions and went with the same midfield that beat Sheffield United  1-0 on Saturday.

That means there was no space for Oxlade-Chamberlain or Keita as Klopp picked the dependable three of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum.

And there are a fair legion of Liverpool fans who are less than happy to see Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain relegated to the bench in favour of Gini.

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Both are returning from fairly lengthy lay-offs and haven’t been at their best for the Reds this campaign, but they do offer something a bit different from midfield that Henderson or Wijnaldum can’t.

Fabinho is the rock and everyone wants him in every XI, but if Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain can stay fit then it surely won’t be long until they’re both picked with more regularity. Their dynamic, energetic and powerful brand of football should fit brilliantly with what Klopp wants from his teams and we can’t wait to see it.

The omission of James Milner is also a bit of a surprise, especially after he started the Napoli game. Milner also has a habit of being picked for the biggest clashes as he brings experience, fight, passion and an ever-lasting supply of energy to the midfield.

Salzburg have made a big call themselves and left Erling Haaland out of the starting side. Haaland was battling with illness this week, and even though the RB head coach declared him fit, the 19-year-old clearly wasn’t in prime shape to be going up against Virgil van Dijk.

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At the back, van Dijk has had an enforced change of partner thanks to Joel Matip picking up a knock in the Blades result. Joe Gomez has returned to play alongside the Dutchman and will be hoping to impress.

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