Jurgen Klopp has made clear his intention to field a strong Liverpool squad for Thursday’s final Europa League group game against Union Saint Giloise
Reds were confirmed as winners of Group E and are set to progress directly to the last 16 in March. The match in Belgium will therefore provide the perfect opportunity to rest the first team players ahead of the thrilling Premier League clash with Manchester United.
Speaking at a road test event at Anfield on Monday night, the 56-year-old said he would adjust his squad accordingly but did not specify who stands out in terms of personnel.
Klopp (Liverpool Echo): “I’m very happy we didn’t have to win. It will be a very difficult situation. We’ll be around. That’s how it’s always been Sure. But now I don’t know who that person will be.”Honestly, I didn’t even think about that. No, really!” – So I don’t know. I don’t know who’s sick, who’s sick, things like that.
How many plans do I make for a night in my life when I know I might end up trashing them? “We will have a good team and a team ready to give Union a good fight. That’s what anyone can expect from us and that’s what we’re doing. It is good for many things and good for rhythm.
“We won our group but we still want three points.”Frankly, Klopp will be furious if he doesn’t take this fantastic opportunity to keep key players fresh for United’s trip to Anfield this weekend. The result in Belgium simply doesn’t matter to Liverpool.
Even though professional pride ensures that players expect to win.There have been many changes to the squad over the last five Europa League games, so now that qualification is assured, you can be sure that the manager will select a number of academy players.
It is also a chance for the 56-year-old to show he has learned from his previous mistake of starting Diogo Iotta in the Champions League defeat to Midtjylland three years ago. A completely preventable knee injury ruled him out for three months and derailed our season.
Along with the likes of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominic Soboslay, we can expect youngsters like Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, Conor Bradley and Luke Chambers against Union SG tomorrow. For United on Sunday.
The pre-match Belgium squad news may be more interesting to Liverpool fans than the match itself. The hard work is done and there is nothing at stake for the Reds.
