Liverpool Legend Questions Klopp After Reds Draw With Man Utd

Jamie Carragher has questioned Jurgen Klopp’s substitutions after Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester United at Anfield this afternoon.

Liverpool dominated possession for the vast majority of the game and had three times as many shots on goal as their opponents with Klopp’s side registering 18 attempts to United’s 6.

A stunning save by David De Gea was the closest the Merseysiders came to breaking the deadlock as the Spanish international saved superbly with his feet to deny Joel Matip.

Liverpool’s dominance was especially evident in the second half when United failed to have a single shot on goal so many fans were calling for Klopp to take a risk and go for the three points.

However, when the German coach did freshen-up his side during the latter stages, Klopp opted to bring on Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke in place of Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

These changes failed to have any impact as United held on to take away a point from Anfield, leaving Liverpool frustrated in a game they should probably have won.

After the match, Carragher – who spent his playing career at Liverpool – questioned Klopp’s decision to replace his front three as the former defender feels the Reds boss should have been more adventurous with his substitutions to go for the three points.

Carragher told Sky Sports:

“Jurgen Klopp made changes but he still kept the three-man midfield the same,”

“Manchester United showed such a lack of ambition it was worth taking a risk by leaving Coutinho on and bringing on another attacking player. Yes, you can get done on the counter but it was obvious United were here for a 0-0 and hoping to nick a goal from a set-piece or a counter-attack. I think Liverpool should have taken the risk to take (Georginio) Wijnaldum or (Emre) Can off.

“It’s not easy as a manager but I’d have taken that chance earlier and the substitutions shouldn’t have been just player for player, but more tactical.

“It would have given Liverpool an extra attacking player on the pitch – it could have cost them the game, but it could have won them the game – but the position Liverpool are in, it was a game they had to go for.”

It’s obvious that Klopp went for the safe option by simply replacing his front three like-for-like and in hindsight he should probably have taken more of a risk as the three points were there for the taking.

United were clearly playing for a draw and while there was a slight chance they could have hit Liverpool with a sucker-punch goal, the hosts looked the side who were going to score if there was to be a late winner so given they needed to cut the gap at the top, Klopp should have gone for it.

The draw leaves Liverpool sitting seventh in the table, seven points behind second-placed United and nine adrift of leaders City, so Carragher believes his former club are in the race for the top four rather than worrying about the title right now.

He continued to Sky Sports:

“Liverpool will be looking around the clubs going for top-four and how far they are behind those positions,”

“Even at the start of the season I don’t think Liverpool fans expected them to win the title – I certainly didn’t.

“Liverpool will be more interested in Arsenal’s results – maybe Chelsea and Tottenham – although those two probably think they’re capable of catching the two Manchester clubs.”

There is a long way to go but even after just eight games it does look like the two Manchester clubs are going to be battling for the title with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs battling for the top four.