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Liverpool legend John Barnes has explained why Liverpool’s attacking quartet cannot start every game.
There were big questions about how Jurgen Klopp would line up his team against Manchester City last weekend.
The doubts arose after Diogo Jota started in place of Roberto Firmino and scored a hat-trick in the Champions League victory at Atalanta.
But instead of dropping the new signing to the bench, Klopp started the top four Liverpool attackers in the 1-1 draw.
But the former Anfield favorite Barnes he doesn’t think it will always be possible in the future.
He said BonusCodeBets: “From an attacking point of view, and being a Liverpool fan, it is a pleasure to see all four players attacking on the pitch at the same time.
“Depending on the opposition Liverpool is facing, we may have to play with three hardworking midfielders in the middle of the park, allowing the four forwards to strike hard and cause trouble.
“It depends on the nature of the game and the quality of the opponent.
“It was great to see that Jurgen Klopp felt comfortable enough to play against all four attacking players. But he also trusted them to be good enough without the ball. You saw that with Firmino against Manchester City, he defended from the front.
“If they have the right work ethic and knowledge to defend as a unit, Jurgen will be more than happy to play offensive football.
“In certain games, one of the four attackers doesn’t play. Mane, Firmino, Jota and Salah cannot be expected to play every game.
“It’s a question of team balance, you can add a striker to the mix and Liverpool can play with five forwards, but team balance is the most important thing.”
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Barnes reflects on memories of Melwood
Barnes also reflected on his memories of Liverpool’s famous Melwood training ground.
The club is moving its first team operation to the state-of-the-art AXA training center in Kirkby. In doing so, they are bringing their senior and Academy groups together in one site.
And Barnes took a trip back in time, saying, “Melwood has certainly changed over the years. When I was there, you couldn’t even have a hot cup of tea or a decent shower.
“When you look at it now with the incredible facilities and state-of-the-art fields, it looks completely different. It’s similar in terms of the area around it, that hasn’t changed, but you keep going.
“Going to a fantastic training facility in Kirkby is great for the club. I would have loved to train at Kirkby when I was playing as the facilities are so much better than anything else I would have been used to.
“But Anfield is the real home of Liverpool, not the training ground.
“As much as everyone talks about Melwood and the memories there, leaving Anfield for somewhere else would have a lot more meaning to me.
“Melwood was a great training ground that everyone felt comfortable with, but that’s the end now. Anfield as a stadium that meant much more ”.
John Barnes was talking to BonusCodeBets
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