Dion Dublin praised Jurgen Klopp on BBC Radio 5 Live after the Liverpool boss introduced Jordan Henderson as a late substitute at home to Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Klopp impressed the former England international with his game-management during the last 16 second-leg tie, after the Anfield clash started to become ‘nervy’ following Lautaro Martinez striking what would ultimately be the only goal of the match in the 61st-minute.
The Argentine fired a sensational strike into the top corner from the edge of Alisson’s area on the hour. Virgil van Dijk refused to close Martinez down as he collected possession and turned to face goal. And in doing so, he allowed Inter to make the score 2-1 on aggregate.
Martinez had not scored a Champions League goal so far this term before Liverpool hosted his Inter Milan. But Alexis Sanchez soon shot the Nerazzurri in the foot by giving the Reds a man advantage, as well as the aggregate lead, with a second yellow just two-minutes later.
Mateu Lahoz showed Alexis a second booking for the follow-through of a tackle on Fabinho just after Martinez scored. The referee had already cautioned the Chilean in the first-half after his high challenge on Thiago Alcantara, which could have merited a straight red card.
Dublin praises Klopp for Henderson sub amid ‘nervy’ end to Liverpool loss
Klopp responded to Lahoz sending Alexis off by introducing Henderson in place of Thiago to settle the Liverpool midfield and survive Inter Milan’s growing pressure as they sought the equalising goal on aggregate to send the Champions League last 16 tie into extra-time.
The German tactician impressed Dublin with his game management skills through the 65th-minute change in the Reds’ engine room. While Henderson’s introduction had the desired effect, by calming the core and adding an extra level of control to the Merseysiders’ ranks.
“It’s ended up being a bit nervy, and that’s why Jurgen Klopp decided to bring on Jordan Henderson,” he said. “He’s got the captain’s armband and will try to settle things down.”
Liverpool will learn their next opponent in the Champions League when UEFA draw the teams for the quarter-final at 11:00 GMT on Friday, March 18 at their Switzerland HQ.
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