Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has claimed that everything Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp touches ‘turns to gold’.
The German has led his team to an eight point lead at the top of the Premier League table, punctuated by Wednesday’s 5-2 thrashing of Everton, achieved despite resting several key players.
Nicholas feels the Reds will cruise to a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, as well: “Everything Jurgen Klopp touches turns to gold,” he wrote on the Sky Sports website. “I thought he would rest players for this game but, no, he rested Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson in the Merseyside derby, and he was vindicated.
“Bournemouth, meanwhile, are in free fall and lacking confidence. They are trying to be more solid defensively, but that is hampering them going forward. It’s a dangerous combination for Eddie Howe’s side.”
OPINION
It was certainly a surprise when Salah, Firmino and Henderson were left out against Everton. These are key players for Liverpool and that game was a massive Merseyside derby. However, it proved to be an inspired decision from the Reds boss. There’s no doubt that he got it right. He threw in players with a point to prove and trusted that they would rise to the occasion. It’s safe to say that Adam Lallana, Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi did just that. The latter grabbed a brace, while Shaqiri was also on the scoresheet. Lallana was also instrumental in what was his finest performance for some time. Perhaps Henderson, Salah and Firmino will all return on Saturday, but even if they don’t, Wednesday’s game would suggest that the European champions will cruise past the Cherries regardless. Howe’s team are terrible at the back these days, while they have a number of key injuries, and so it’s very hard to see them getting anything against Klopp’s men.
