Liverpool left Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara in the lead of their Champions League clash with Ajax on Wednesday, and coach Jurgen Klopp was out of shape.
Premier League champions have a broken match schedule with six matches in 18 days, and the German manager is willing to manage his stars after Virgil van Dijk for the rest of the season.
Matip’s absence gives midfielder Fabinho the chance to impress as a makeshift central defender alongside Joe Gomez in Amsterdam, with Klopp looking to verify his options.
Liverpool leave Thiago Alcantara (left) and Joel Matip (right) at home for the clash against Ajax
Jurgen Klopp seeks to manage the fitness of his stars after Virgil van Dijk for the season
The Dutchman ruptured Everton’s anterior cruciate ligament and is fired long-term
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Edited through Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday and Metro Media Group