Garth Crooks has questioned Jurgen Klopp’s decision to start Sadio Mane against Burnley.
The Reds claimed a 1-0 victory over the Clarets in their Premier League clash at Turf Moor on Sunday with Fabinho scoring the winner in the first half.
Fabinho’s goal was his fifth in his last seven appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side and Crooks included the Brazilian in his team of the week.
But the pundit was not as complimentary about Mane.
The forward was making his first appearance for Liverpool since returning from Senegal duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped his country win the tournament for the first time in their history.
“Whenever Liverpool need to dig out a result Fabinho always seems to be the man on hand to provide the grit and determination required,” wrote Crooks, for the BBC .
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“This result was not a foregone conclusion by any means and if Wout Weghorst had taken any of his chances the Reds might have come away from Burnley with nothing.
“Why Sadio Mane started this game, so soon after his exploits in the Africa Cup of Nations, is a mystery to me, especially as Diogo Jota is in such good form.
“If anyone needs a break Mane does.”
Klopp explained his team selection before the game on Sunday, revealing that Jota had suffered a dead leg and didn’t take part in training the day before.
"Jota was due to start, with Sadio coming from the bench today,” the Reds boss told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off.
“But Jota had a dead leg and couldn't train yesterday. Now he looks fine but we were not sure.
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“We prepared everything with Sadio, knowing he knows what to do."
Crooks wasn’t done with his Liverpool talk, reiterating his belief that the club should sign Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.
The Saints skipper was included in Crooks’ team of the week for his performance against Manchester United.
“I've been singing the praises of this gifted midfielder for some time now, and his performances for Southampton only seem to get better,” said Crooks.
“I don't know what Liverpool are waiting for - he's made for them.”
