Jurgen Klopp has revealed that his half-time withdrawal of Takumi Minamino during Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Everton was fully planned.
Picked to start on the right-hand side of the Reds’ front three in the absence of Mohamed Salah at Goodison Park, the Japanese looked bright during the opening 45 minutes.
However, he was surprisingly withdrawn at the break, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming on to take his place on the wing for the second half.
The visitors’ lack of penetration or an unseen injury were all touted as possible reasons for the switch, but Klopp offered up something of a curveball when asked about the decision at full-time.
He told Sky Sports: “Before the game already I had the idea that I wanted to change really early, just not to wait until somebody has a little bit less than fresh legs.
“[It was] just to use the opportunity that five changes gives you. But Taki played well, he was really in the game.
In Pictures | Everton vs Liverpool | 21/06/2020
“In the beginning it was a bit difficult but then he was in the game. [The sub] had nothing to do with Taki’s performance, it was purely my idea just to try it.”
As for the game itself, Klopp declared himself satisfied with his team’s physical condition after a lengthy break, but lamented their failure to provide moments of quality in front of goal.
He added: "The point is one we deserve, even if I have to admit that Everton had the biggest chance to win the game.
"We didn't create enough chances with all the possession we had. I liked the intensity from my boys, I like the pressing, all these things.
"When I think of all the derbies here, they looked pretty similar - the result is similar. At Anfield the games are slightly better, here at Goodison it was always like this. Two teams, aggressive, very physical.
"Everton were well organised so we had to run a lot but we looked fit and ready."
