Paolo Di Canio believes Jurgen Klopp made tactical mistakes during Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan, questioning the inclusions of Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones on Sky Italia.
So that’s that then.
After 366 days 29 games in all competitions, Liverpool have been beaten at Anfield. Not that ending Klopp’s long undefeated streak at home soil will be much of a consolation to Inter Milan, the Nerrazzuri missing out on the chance to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010/11, when they were the tournament’s defending champions.
Inter certainly ran Liverpool close over two tense and frantic legs in the round-of-16.
Simone Inzaghi’s Scudetto winners were arguably the dominant force at the San Siro three weeks ago. Despite an eventual 2-0 defeat.
And, if Alexis Sanchez had not been controversially sent off just 90 seconds after Lautaro Martinez’s wondergoal at Anfield, who knows how things would have turned out on Tuesday night?
Can Liverpool win the Champions League?
“Liverpool did not win 5-0 in the first leg. Tonight, they tried to manage (the game) by playing with a midfield that underestimated the strength of Inter,” says former West Ham and Celtic star Di Canio, pointing out that Klopp was quick to replace Thiago and the quiet Jones with Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson just minutes after Inter’s opener.
“In fact, (Klopp) made the first two changes there, even if it is true that he also makes them in the Premier League.
“You can’t play with Curtis Jones, who is a reliable kid, along with two more experienced ones. And Thiago Alcantara, (who is) not suitable for Klopp’s game.”
“Sanchez sinks (Inter’s hopes). A player so experienced must know.”
After a fortunate home win over wasteful West Ham United on Saturday, this was a second below-par performance in a row in front of their expectant Anfield crowd.
If Liverpool are serious about overhauling Manchester City – not to mention reaching the Champions League final for the third time in five years – they must step up their game. And fast.
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