Liverpool legend urges Klopp not to start ‘world-class’ midfielder against City

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John Barnes has told TalkSPORT that Liverpool shouldn’t play either Thiago or Diogo Jota against Manchester City.

The Reds are due to take on City at the weekend, and the calls for Jota to take Roberto Firmino’s place in Liverpool’s line-up are only growing louder.

Jota scored a hat-trick for Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, as they cruised to a 5-0 success over Atalanta.

With Firmino badly out of goalscoring touch, there have been suggestions that Jota should take his place.

However, Barnes doesn’t feel that the Portuguese forward is ideally suited to playing against City.

City are likely to have the lion’s share of possession on Sunday, and Barnes says that Jurgen Klopp would be better off picking Firmino for his defensive qualities.

He also says that Thiago, who was hailed as ‘world-class by Gary Neville (Mirror), should be overlooked, if he does recover from injury, as Klopp needs better defensive options in his midfield.

“Jota scored a hat-trick, but that doesn’t mean he automatically goes into the team against Man City,” said the Anfield legend.

“I think who plays depends on what the games are and who they’re against and how that team plays.

“Against Man City, where you’re not going to have as much possession, maybe Firmino will be a better bet. You need a player like Bobby Firmino to not only get hold of the ball but also do his defensive work.

“If you’re playing a game against Atalanta or Leeds, a more open team, they you can see Jota coming in.

“It’s the same with Thiago, If you play Man City you won’t necessarily play Thiago, you play Wijnaldum, Henderson and Fabinho who are much stronger defensively.”

The latest updates from the Liverpool Echo says that Thiago could have a chance of featuring for Liverpool at the weekend, as he is now back in light training, but that is far from certain.

If Thiago is fit, it remains to be seen whether Klopp will back him to start.

The summer signing has made a slow beginning to his career at Anfield, as two injury problems have stopped him from making a big impact for his new side.