A number of Liverpool supporters have been left bemused by Jurgen Klopp’s decision to substitute Curtis Jones in the defeat to Manchester City.
The Reds suffered a 4-1 loss at home to the Premier League leaders on Sunday, all but ending their chances of securing back-to-back titles.
A jaded-looking performance summed up Liverpool’s current struggles, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring twice and Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden also getting in on the act.
Mohamed Salah’s penalty was about all Klopp’s men had to shout about – Gundogan also missed a spot-kick for City before half-time – on a grim afternoon at Anfield.
On a day full of poor performances, particularly Alisson, Jones was a lively presence, looking confident in the middle of the park.
That made Klopp’s decision to replace him with James Milner in the second half strange, with others more deserving of being hooked.
These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to give Klopp some rare criticism.
https://twitter.com/Nascelotti/status/1358502789379457025?s=20
Think klopp has got that all wrong put Kabak in defence hendo into the middle and subs were wrong at the wrong time jones best player today
— Jamie Kelly (@j_kellyyyyy) February 7, 2021
We conceded 3 after his subs, why take off Jones who was our best player for 35 year old Miller
— Kwaku Klopp (@kwakuTuah) February 7, 2021
Although Klopp couldn't have predicted Alisson having a mare, I don't think we needed a double sub. Would have kept Jones on. #LIVMCI
— Penny Woods (@Pudsk) February 7, 2021
Klopp's substitutions have been very bad all season..What impact did those subs bring in the game and he rather sub our best players on the field(Jones and Robbo) plus leaving our new CB's on the bench and played midfielders there.
— Ante Ba. (@AnteBaKd) February 7, 2021
Think Klopp should have gone for it and started kabak with hendo pushed forward. The subs killed us too – jones was doing well but milly makes it defensive
— x (@britrob80) February 7, 2021
