Jordan Henderson scored in Liverpool during the Aston Villa rest period (Photo: Getty Images).
Jurgen Klopp said that the decision to sideline Jordan Henderson at half-time in Liverpool was pre-planned victory over Aston Villa and that the captain of the Reds was not affected by injuries or other problems.
Liverpool was finally eliminated in the third round of the FA Cup against Premier League champions Villa (U23) with a 4-1 victory.
Due to multiple positive tests for coronavirus, Villa was unable to field first-team players or even have manager Dean Smith on the sidelines.
Unlike Liverpool, Liverpool played a surprisingly strong team with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Henderson.
However, Henderson was suspended at half time after Louis Barry stunned the Reds by cancelling Mane’s first goal.
After the match Klopp confirmed that the replacement was not the result of an injury or a poor performance by Henderson, but that for the time being it had been agreed that the Englishman would play 45 minutes and Thiago Alcantara would play the second half.
No, no, Hendo and Thiago made it clear before the match that we are doing this: 45, 45 – said Klopp. Absolutely no problem. And no, no objections.
Read more: Liverpool FC
The match took place in very unusual circumstances, with Villa putting his youth team in the field, but Klopp believes it was done correctly given the circumstances.
We trust the authorities, the results of our tests came back yesterday, they are all negative, the German said. Then the FA did what they thought was right, the U23’s were tested, we got the results this morning, at 10 o’clock I think. We were in the airport parking lot. So, we’re good.
Klopp’s men had a heavier evening than expected (Photo: AMA/Getty Images).
While Liverpool dominated the game, Villa was tied at half time and it was only in the hour point that the Reds took the lead for the second time via Georginio Wijnaldum in a surprisingly tight match for the big favourites.
Aston Villa U-23 coach Mark Delaney took the lead of the team for a game that wasn’t nearly as comfortable for the Reds as some had expected.
I’ve never been so excited, he said after the defeat.
I’m very passionate about the club. I’ve played and coached here for a long time. Everything’s in the right place. We’ve got great people working at the club, everybody wants to know what everybody’s doing.
Everyone wants to know every player in the club. It’s a good feeling that this club goes to places I like to be involved with.
MORE: Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool’s training plans for Manchester United after winning the FA Cup at Aston Villa.
MORE: Michael Owen praises Thiago after Liverpool’s FA Cup victory at Aston Villa.
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