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Andy Robertson hails Liverpool’s Sadio Mane after Jurgen Klopp decision

Jurgen Klopp manager (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made an ingenious move on Wednesday.

Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane reacts after a missed opportunity during a friendly football match Hertha Berlin vs Liverpool in Berlin, Germany, on July 29, 2017.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp pulled off something of a masterstroke last night.

The Reds smashed Watford 5-0 at Anfield to stay one point ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Klopp started Divock Origi – who scored Liverpool’s third on 66 minutes – in the absence of Roberto Firmino.

It was assumed that the Belgian striker would take up a number nine role, but Klopp played him on the wing and instead deployed Sadio Mane in a central attacking role.

The former Southampton star dazzled and scored twice – including a brilliant back heel to make it 2-0 – and his Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson is very impressed by the German’s decision.

Asked about Mane’s second, Robertson, an £8 million signing in 2017 [The Mirror], told Sky Sports: “It was a fantastic finish. To have that awareness to take the touch and, with your back to play, back-heel it over the keeper, it was unbelievable skill.

“Him playing through at nine was a bit different for us and probably caught Watford by surprise in the first 10 minutes. I thought he did it unbelievably well.”

It was a genius move by Klopp.

Watford would’ve been preparing to face Origi or Daniel Sturridge up front, so the fact that it was Mane threw Javi Gracia’s pre-match plan into disarray.

Sadio Mane of Liverpool (R) attempts to get past John Stones of Manchester City (L) during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on March 19,...