Jurgen Klopp explains Liverpool selection decisions as Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are benched for Newcastle clash
Posted by  badge Boss on Apr 30, 2022 - 10:55PM
Salah is on the bench for the clash against Newcastle (Picture: Getty Images)

has made multiple changes to his Liverpool side for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle.

The Reds earned a vital 2-0 victory over Villarreal in the first leg of their semi-final in midweek.

But with Liverpool just a point behind league leaders , a win against the Magpies would see Klopp’s side go top of the table, temporarily at least.

Alexander-Arnold also starts on the bench (Picture: Getty Images)

Five changes have been made to the team that beat Villarreal, with , Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, Fabinho and Ibrahima Konate dropping out of the starting XI.

James Milner, Naby Keita, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip all come in to face Eddie Howe’s side.

Divock Origi is missing from the squad due to an illness that is not related to Covid-19.

Explaining his selection decisions, Klopp told BT Sport ahead of kick-off at St James’ Park: ‘Of course, we have to do it because of the intensity of the period we are in – when you make five changes, then you obviously have a good squad.

‘We could have changed it even more but it is about rhythm and stability as well.’

On Saturday’s opponents, Newcastle, Klopp added: ‘Eddie [Howe] is doing a great job.

‘They have really created a group – they really enjoy playing together. They fight for results. Impressive.’

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