The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold due to a virus for Liverpool’s Champions League game against Genk last night left Jurgen Klopp with a decision to make as to who would start at right-back.
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Nathaniel Clyne remains a long-term absentee after his pre-season cruciate ligament injury, while Ki-Jana Hoever is with the Netherlands’ squad for the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, so there was no natural replacement for the 21-year-old.
Klopp gave the nod to James Milner, who had played at right-back for seven games in the Premier League last season and recorded three assists in that role, as per TransferMarkt. Indeed, during the game, the former Leeds and Newcastle man had the joint-second highest amount of touches (109, per WhoScored) than anyone.
In the injury-enforced absence of Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren was selected to start at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk, which meant that Joe Gomez began among the substitutes for the game in Belgium.
He was eventually called into action, coming on for Andrew Robertson in the 63rd minute, a switch that allowed Milner to move to left-back and Gomez to play on the right, as noted by the Daily Mail.
However, these Liverpool fans on Twitter were surprised to see Milner chosen ahead of Gomez at right-back prior to kick-off.
https://twitter.com/mobidee/status/1187066602388373508?s=21
Milner at RFB while Gomez is on the bench!?!
— Canuck Scouser (@Mensana88) October 23, 2019
Don’t know whether Milner starting at RB is good for Gomez or not. This is definitely not normal, Klopp should be expecting questions. #LFC
— ABHI (@SociallySober) October 23, 2019
What happened to Gomez?
— Ashley Dhora (@ashley84dhora) October 23, 2019
I have 1 complaint about that line up. Why Milner over Gomez?
— Sam Ward (@sambadude) October 23, 2019
Milner over Gomez at RB is a bit of a puzzler.
— Ronan Maguire (@ronan_maguire81) October 23, 2019
I love Milner but he shouldn't be playing at right back ahead of Gomez, the rest of the side is boss though, look forward to seeing this midfield #LFC
— Mike Appo (@MikeAppo) October 23, 2019
Do you think Gomez should have started at right-back ahead of Milner or was Klopp’s decision justified? Have your say by commenting below!
