Jurgen Klopp has told BT Sport, during their live Champions League coverage, that Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson told him he was fine to continue last night at half-time.
Henderson was hooked midway through Liverpool’s game against Midtjylland yesterday, as Klopp continues to carefully manage the midfielder’s minutes.
The England international is only just coming back from injury, and the Reds boss wanted to make sure he was available for the weekend, when his side take on West Ham United.
But Klopp says if he had left the decision up to Henderson he would have played on.
“We had to make the change at half time. Hendo said ‘I’m fine I can carry on’ but in these moments you have to show responsibility,” Klopp said.
“The plan before the game was 45, 45 – so now they should both be ready for West Ham.”
The news that Henderson’s substitute was a pre-planned one, rather than one which was forced through injury, is a boost to Liverpool.
The Reds can ill afford to suffer any more fitness issues, and that probably added to Klopp’s caution with his captain last night.
Liverpool have already lost Fabinho from their midfield, so to risk Henderson would simply have been careless.
In Henderson’s absence Liverpool were still able to pick up the three points, as goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah provided them with the victory.
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