Jurgen Klopp has explained his decision to drop Sadio Mane for Liverpool’s game against Watford.
The Liverpool boss opted for a frontline of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in the early kick-off at Anfield. The decision meant both Mane and Luis Diaz dropped to the bench as the Reds take their first steps in a month that is set to define the club’s season.
However, Jurgen Klopp insisted that the Senegal forward had been named among the substitutes due to the demands of the international break. Mane scored the decisive penalty for Senegal earlier this week to send his country through to the World Cup .
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"He stayed in Senegal for another night and only came back yesterday so that's the reason,” he said. “We can bring them all on. Sadio looked top in training but we had to make the decision without really knowing."
While Mane faced Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in his country’s World Cup play-off, the latter's earlier arrival back on Merseyside saw him retain his place in the starting lineup. While Mane’s absence means Roberto Firmino was handed his first league start since February 13 against Burnley.
Curtis Jones was also given a surprise start by the German coach in midfield, while Joe Gomez deputised for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. However, the 23-year-old was fit enough to be named among the subs after withdrawing from England duty with a hamstring injury.
