Dion Dublin told Premier League Productions that it ‘wouldn’t surprise’ him if Jurgen Klopp played both Jordan Henderson and James Milner in defence for Liverpool’s clash against Leicester.
If Liverpool fans thought things were bad before their last league outing, well they have taken another unfortunate turn over the international break.
Mo Salah has to self-isolate and will Sunday’s game, whilst the likes of Rhys Williams, Henderson and Andy Robertson all received potential injury scares – not forgetting Joe Gomez’s long-term injury.
It leaves Klopp with not many options to choose from for the weekend showdown with Brendan Rodgers.
Former Aston Villa striker turned centre-back, Dublin, backed Henderson and Milner to play in Liverpool’s depleted backline.
“I think you have to consider having someone like that [Henderson] in that situation because there are so many players they could play, like the youngsters,” said Dublin.
“Without a doubt. There is no question for me. Jordan has to go in there. What happens then is that Jamie Vardy knows he has the pace of Jordan Henderson, but the know-how of Henderson and his positional play.
“When I played centre-half as an old 35, 36-year-old for Norwich or Villa and I was playing against a player that was definitely quicker than me. I would then put my centre-forward’s head on and think ‘where would I want the ball to go if I was him?’
“Jordan can do that. He can give himself 5-10 yards and he’s going to go where the ball is going to go before that player has made his run. It wouldn’t surprise me if he played Jordan on the right-hand side and he played Milner. It wouldn’t surprise me. Only for that game. Look after me and I will look after you.”
The problem Klopp faces is that the real heat during the season comes in December-January when the fixture list really piles up.
If the Reds face similar problems during those months then they could be in serious trouble and those cries of wanting five substitutions will be heard louder.
Until then, the Liverpool supporters will be praying that the luck will fall in their favour in the next few months because it’s gone against them since the first ball was kicked this season.
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