Jürgen Klopp defends his Liverpool team selection for FA Cup tie with Wolves
Youngsters Connor Randall, Ovie Ejaria and Ben Woodburn all played from the off against Paul Lambert's Championship outfit
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Your support makes all the difference.Jürgen Klopp has defended his decision to name several inexperienced players in his starting line-up for Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Connor Randall, Ovie Ejaria and Ben Woodburn all played from the off against Paul Lambert's Championship outfit, despite Liverpool's need for a positive result after suffering two home defeats in the last week.
Speaking before the lunchtime kick-off, Klopp insisted that the reverses against Swansea City and Southampton had not significantly influenced his selection.
“It is business as normal, it is not the first time we have lost a game in our lives, unfortunately,” Klopp told BT Sport, referencing Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Southampton.
“We try to change a few things in their mindset. It was pretty good against Southampton but we lost,” he added.
Randall, Ejaria and Woodburn had previously managed a total of just 19 senior appearances between them before Saturday’s meeting at Anfield.
The selection of Randall, in particular, has raised eyebrows, with the 21-year-old making his first appearance of the season.
However, Klopp explained that he had to play the Maghull-born right-back as other players in his position were not fit for selection.
“Nathaniel Clyne is still not available, I can’t play Trent Alexander-Arnold in four games in eight or nine days, it makes no sense for an 18-year-old boy.”
“It’s a pretty nice team, I am fine with this,” he added.
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