Klopp explains decision to play Wijnaldum as a forward against Barcelona

Jurgen Klopp has revealed why he chose to deploy Gini Wijnaldum as a forward during the match against Barcelona on Wednesday night.

The Dutchman joined Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in attack in the absence of Roberto Firmino in what was a difficult game for the Reds.

“It was quite a big task,” admitted Klopp, when asked about Wijnaldum’s ability to play multiple roles.

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“I said to him: ‘What does it say about you?’ He said: ‘I don’t know.’ I said: ‘That you can play everything!’ When I told him that he plays the position, he was surprised himself.

“It was for different reasons and he needed 30 or 35 minutes to adapt really to it, but then he did brilliantly and the second half was really good.

“We needed this kind of player, an offensive player who is quite good in defending as well, because we cannot ignore the quality of Barcelona obviously. But we needed a player between the lines who is good enough to keep the ball and pass the ball.

“I know for people outside it’s easy to say, ‘[You need] another striker’ or whatever. There are different jobs to do on the pitch. Gini did really well.

“In a game like this, in a really small space, in a completely new position for him – he played it in Holland and he played offensive wing at Newcastle, so he knew about it – he is the player to do it.

“As a football player you have to be educated in a lot of things and he has this education. So it helped, it was really good.”

Klopp also confirmed that in Naby Keita’s absence for the rest of the season, the time is right for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to step back into the frame.

“Yes, of course, it’s perfect that he’s back. We will see. It’s very good that Ox is there and he will be for sure in the squad. Then we have to make a decision who starts,” said Klopp.

“It’s good. We will use him, of course. There’s nothing good to say about Naby’s injury but that Ox is back is brilliant, yes.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com