Following their Super Cup triumph in midweek, Liverpool recorded three points against Southampton on Saturday.
Micah Richards has questioned Jurgen Klopp’s decision to play yet another strong side during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.
Since the start of the season, a lot has been made as to whether the Liverpool players have had enough rest following a gruelling campaign last season.
The Reds’ season finished at the start of June. Whilst some had rest, others, such as the front three, were involved in summer tournaments. Those very same players were also involved in the Super Cup in midweek, and now the game at the weekend.
Speaking to Final Score on BBC One (17/08/2019 at 4:40 pm), as Sadio Mane was netting what turned out to be the winning goal, former City defender Richards stated that Klopp should have rotated his squad.
“Liverpool, all their players are fit lads now,” Richards told Final Score. “I think the games moved on from when I first started, so they are a lot fitter. But they would have went to bed at 2-3 in the morning [after Super Cup win], [then there’s] travelling, so it can have an effect.
“With Liverpool, they are different from City where City can rest eight or nine players. Klopp always seems to want to play his best team. So, maybe they are a bit leggy.
“But should Klopp have more faith in his squad? He’s playing his top three [against Southampton], they played a lot of minutes on Wednesday. This is where he has to probably utilise his squad a bit more.”
The games have been coming thick and fast for Liverpool, but at this moment in time, they have coped well, but their biggest test will come later on in the season.
The Champions League matches will kick in then the League Cup encounters and the FA Cup. But, like every other Premier League team this season, a winter break has been introduced this season.
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