Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made some intriguing selections with his starting line-up and matchday squad for the Reds’ Club World Cup semi-final against Monterrey this evening.
As per Sky Sports, Virgil van Dijk missed the game due to illness, with midfielder Jordan Henderson filling in at centre-back as Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip‘s injuries left the Reds short of options in the centre of defence.
Klopp also named two goalkeepers among the seven substitutes, with Adrian and Andy Lonergan on the bench at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. [via liverpoolfc.com]
The latter was released by Middlesbrough only a few months ago before joining up with Liverpool’s pre-season tour of USA in July due to a shortage of goalkeepers. He then joined the Reds on a short-term contract in August following Alisson’s calf injury.
Lonergan had previously been on the bench for three games for the Reds but has yet to feature for the club competitively. [via TransferMarkt]
With Liverpool’s bench against Monterrey featuring no centre-backs or midfielders, these Reds fans on Twitter joked that the 36-year-old could be utilised as a makeshift outfield player this evening.
One Liverpool supporter cited the curious case of ex-Reds defender Steven Caulker, who was deployed as an auxiliary striker against Arsenal, Manchester United and Norwich in January 2016:
Lonergan is the new Steven Caulker!
— PARAMATMAN S R (@Reds_Indian) December 18, 2019
Obviously Lonergan is probably gonna come on to put a couple in the back of the net himself lol
— Tyler Thayer (@Tyler18FC) December 18, 2019
When Henderson goes off injured and Lonergan makes his debut at CB and becomes better than Van Dijk you will see
— .. | | | | (@LFC11109) December 18, 2019
Lonergan to replace Origi to get us the winning goal.
— Jay Alom (@jayalom_) December 18, 2019
Lonergan in midfield when were up 4-0 plz
— Patrick (@palexmc) December 18, 2019
Andy Lonergan the go-to centre back option on the bench there.
— Ben Twelves (@bm12s) December 18, 2019
Can’t wait till Lonergan comes on at the back.
— LFCthomas (@LFCTHOMASF) December 18, 2019
Lonergan as backup CB
— Pam (@therealmrsAgger) December 18, 2019
Liverpool fans, were you surprised by Klopp’s team and squad selection this evening? Share your views in the comments section below!
