Liverpool selection proves Jurgen Klopp has given up on the league
The Liverpool team that manager Jurgen Klopp selected for the 1-0 loss against Fulham proves he’s given up on the Premier League.
At this point, it’s getting pretty hard to blame him. I think most fans are experiencing a similar feeling in the pit of their stomach as the unforeseen has slowly morphed into the inevitable.
Once Simon Hughes, who is an excellent journalist and covers Liverpool for The Athletic, was nearly laughed out of the (virtual) room when he suggested that the Reds need to make sure they qualify for the Champions League, as opposed to trying to win the Premier League. Now nobody is laughing.
Liverpool are focusing elsewhere
In fact, this team’s path back into the top table of European football looks anything but secure. Pain has piled on pain as Liverpool continue to lose – the latest of which was an incredibly hurtful defeat to Fulham in which Klopp picked an unusual starting side.
To leave out Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Thiago, Fabinho, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ozan Kabak in place of Nat Phillips, Neco Williams, Rhys Williams, Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keita and James Milner was an interesting choice that highlights the importance of the upcoming game against RB Leipzig.
It was essentially Klopp saying that the Premier League is not the most important thing on his mind at this stage.
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Victory over the Germans, and continued progression in the Champions League, not only hands the club extra money from the competition’s prize pool, but it also gives the Reds a greater chance of qualifying for next year’s Champions League.
The way things are going in the league, fourth place looks out of reach. The only way this team looks likely to make it next season is to win it this.
This could explain Klopp’s decision to rest so many key players. Looking at the table, this should have been the perfect game for that – but this is far from a usual season.
All eyes will now be on the Leipzig clash to see if Klopp’s decision can be vindicated.