Liverpool vs Genk: Jurgen Klopp must ask himself ‘to be or not to be?’
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has his own ‘to be or not to be’ Hamlet-style question to answer after the Champions League win against Genk.
After sticking with control through Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum for most of the season, Klopp decided to twist and start Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the 4-1 away in Belgium.
And now the German has to ask himself ‘to be or not to be’. That really is the question. Team selection for the Tottenham game on Sunday will come down to the need to control vs the desire to create and the winner will shape the starting side.
Klopp won’t start both Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain against Spurs because it leaves the side too open against good attacks. The London side have been struggling but it would be negligent to suggest that they aren’t still a good side and the manager will take precautions.
Either Henderson or Wijnaldum will be restored back to the XI, probably in place of Keita. It would be almost cruel to drop the Ox after his sensational brace, which included the magically instinctive chip finish that cannoned in off the crossbar.
Jurgen Klopp might be tempted to plot a course between creativity and control by playing Hendo and Oxlade-Chamberlain, with Fabinho in the middle of them both to snuff out counter-attacks. With his ability to score from range – both his goals came from outside the box – the Ox brings something different to the midfield and can make a difference.
It was great to see Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain start at the same time and the romantic, wild Football Manager-style boss inside us all is itching for the pair to be named to take on Spurs. But Klopp isn’t like that.
Next. Oxlade-Chamberlain scorchers but Milner exposed! Read our player ratings against Genk. dark
The German will ask himself his Hamlet question when preparing for Sunday and will probably try and plot the most reasonable course.