14 Dec 2016

Confirmed Teams: Liverpool suffer late injury disaster; Klopp springs massive €23m surprise. Weak management?

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has seemingly bowed to the pressure and recalled Simon Mignolet for tonight's Premier League clash with Middlesbrough.

* FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Origi

* SUBS: Karius, Moreno, Lucas, Stewart, Alexander, Ejaria, Woodburn

I have to say, I've lost a little respect for Klopp over the Karius situation.

Klopp should've had the courage of his convictions and kept faith with his self-proclaimed 'number-one' goalkeeper, but instead, when the going got tough, Liverpool's manager folded like a cheap suit.

What is the point in emphatically defending Karius to the hilt, and claiming that criticism from fans/pundits 'doesn't influence' him, then dropping the German 'keeper anyway? Weak management 101, and it renders Klopp's prior defence of Karius both disingenuous and insincere.

Based on Klopp's staunch defence, Karius had the right to expect that he'd retain his place, but Klopp has basically thrown him under the bus here, and validated all the criticism that's been spewed out over the last couple of weeks. Bravo, Jurgen.

Now, what happens if Mignolet makes a glaring error that leads to a goal? Drop him again?!

In other news, Liverpool have suffered yet another injury blow, with Joel Matip ruled out with an ankle issue. Probable formation:

------------ Mignolet
Clyne --- Lovren - Klavan ---- Milner
--- Lallana -- Hendo - Wijnaldum
---- Mane --- Firmino - Origi

* Mignolet: €23m-rated (CIES Football Observatory)


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