Dean Saunders and Paul Merson do not always perfectly illustrate the thoughts of Liverpool fans in their punditry – but on this occasion, they have hit the nail on the head with their assessment of the Reds’ FA Cup defeat to Wolves.
No team goes into a game to lose it, but heading out of the competition early means Liverpool will have more time to focus on the important things this season: the Premier League and the Champions League.
Saunders told talkSPORT: “I find it difficult to criticise him [Klopp] because he’s got a point. The Premier League and the Champions League are the targets for the club.”
Klopp made nine changes to the team from the XI that played at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City last Thursday, and drew widespread criticism from the likes of Alan Shearer and Jermaine Jenas.
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Merson told Sky Sports show The Debate: “I just think it’s another game out the way. They’ve got a two-week break after playing a couple more league games and recharge their batteries.
“They haven’t won the league in 29 years – don’t get carried away and start thinking about the double, concentrate on the league. It could be the best thing that happened to them.”
At the end of the season, going out of the FA Cup might be viewed very differently by some people to how it is being viewed now.
Saunders and Merson, at least, can both see why a number of changes were made by Klopp. The normal starting XI – apart from those players who are injured – will be brought back for the league game with Brighton at the weekend.