Well, Liverpool are officially back in the Premier League title race.
Manchester City’s defeat by Tottenham on Saturday evening has thrown Liverpool a massive lifeline.
But the Anfield outfit still had to beat Norwich City earlier on the Saturday and Jurgen Klopp’s side did indeed secure a 3-1 victory, after coming from behind.
Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz scored the goals for the German manager, but did Klopp inspire the come-from-behind win with a substitution?
That’s the opinion of Jonathan Woodgate.
The Liverpool boss dropped Thiago Alcantara from his starting lineup after the Champions League win at Inter Milan in midweek.
However, Klopp introduced the Spanish magician a little after the hour mark and within two minutes, Salah equalised for the Reds.
Thiago’s influence was immediately felt and Woodgate claimed on commentary that he ‘absolutely ran the game’ after coming on as a substiution.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Thiago absolutely ran the game after coming on. He quickened the pace and slowed it down when he wanted to. He made the difference. That change from Jurgen Klopp won them the game.”
Context
Liverpool are six points behind Pep Guardiola’s side.
However, Klopp’s outfit also have a game in hand and with the Reds still needing to go to the Etihad Stadium, suddenly it’s all to play for in the Premier League.
City will still be massive favourites to defend their Premier League title, after winning it back from Liverpool last season.
But now that the Reds have a route back into the race, they must not let it slip and with talent like Thiago available off the bench, well he’s a game-changer for them.
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