Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is confident his second-stringers are good enough to help them win the Premier League.
Klopp made five changes to the team that beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday for Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby against Everton and the backup brigade then smashed their neighbours for five to win the match 5-2.
Divock Origi, in only his fourth league start of the season, hit a first-half brace, while Xherdan Shaqiri also made a goalscoring return to the side.
Although Everton hit back through Michael Keane and Richarlison, first-team regulars Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum gave the Reds another comfortable victory.
SATISFIED: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Picture: Jon Super/AP.
Klopp says of Origi and Shaqiri: “That [for them to gain confidence] was the reason why we made the changes, then as a manager you hope for it.
“When the boys then deliver like they did, it’s the best feeling you can get as a manager actually, that it worked out like that. It didn’t surprise me but I didn’t expect it in that – not perfection – but that manner.
“It was really good and helped us, not only the three points but that we could make the changes and the boys now know.”
HAPPY RETURN: Xherdan Shaqiri. Picture: Scott Heppell/Reuters.
The three points made Klopp the fastest Liverpool boss to 100 points, but he warns his manne that they have another battle on their hands for the same haul against the Cherries.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/premierleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@premierleaguegames unbeaten 👊 pic.twitter.com/yDOMZ1hPqe
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
The German adds: “They are waiting for us with all they have.
“They are not happy with their situation; I saw their game last night and they want to strike back, so we have to be ready for that game again.”