Alan Shearer pinpointed that Jurgen Klopp opted to keep Liverpool full-backs Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez on a tight leash against Manchester City on Sunday.
The BBC pundit shared that he thought the Reds manger opted to not encourage the defensive duo to burst forward like they normally do as he knew City could hit them on the break.
Shearer also shared that Man City were also as pragmatic with the use of their full-backs as they were very aware of the threat Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane possess.
“Klopp did not push his full-backs – Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez – up the pitch because he knew City could hurt Liverpool on the break,” wrote the pundit for BBC Sport.
“City were also a lot more pragmatic than usual and did not commit as many men forward as normal – for example their full-backs Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker, who were both aware of the threat Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah posed on the counter.”
OPINION
It’s interesting that Shearer believes Klopp kept his full-backs from going forward like they normally do as Robertson seemed to be charging down the flank in the first-half. The Scottish international was arguably the Reds’ stand-out player in the first-half due to looking to force the issue, however he did get quieter as the game went on. Therefore it makes sense that perhaps he received instructions from Klopp to stay back at bit more especially as Man City grew into the game as it progressed. The Reds’ and Man City drew 0-0 at Anfield with both being rewarded with a point for their more disciplined performances. Hopefully the next time these two Premier League giants meet though, it provides a more interesting affair. As why it makes sense that both teams were happy to take a point from the game and not risking losing the match by attacking a bit more, it wasn’t the best game to watch for a neutral.
