Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp took aim at England manager Gareth Southgate today, regarding the use of Jordan Henderson in the recent international break.
Our captain played both matches, even though the second was a dead-rubber after World Cup Qualification had already been achieved through the first victory.
Injury problems blighted Henderson’s campaign in 2016/17 and Klopp told the press during today’s conference that he feels Southgate’s use of our midfielder is downright irresponsible.
“England played a friendly game on an artificial surface – it was a qualification game but they had already qualified – and I was not happy that Hendo was on the pitch to be honest with all the problems he’s had in the past,” Klopp told the Guardian. “It made no sense. We [club managers] cannot be involved in this. They [international managers] all make their own decisions. Sometimes I really wish we could have had more time to make preparations for such an important game. But is our job and the same for the other team so let’s go.”
We can understand the manager’s frustrations, but other teams have players carrying injuries too and we suppose it’s Southgate’s prerogative to pick whoever he wants.
In the past though, the way he’s used Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge has seen both injured and we’re just glad there’s no international football until February.
Henderson didn’t pick up an injury thankfully and should anchor the midfield against Manchester United tomorrow lunchtime.