Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been urged to leave Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, and Naby Keita out of his team against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League by the Reds’ Athletic correspondent James Pearce, via The Red Agenda podcast (March 10th, 39:30).

What’s he said?

Liverpool face the Spanish giants at Anfield on Wednesday evening, looking to turn around a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

The Reds started with Henderson, Fabinho, and Georginio Wijnaldum against Diego Simeone’s side but Henderson has been injured since, missing three Premier League games, including the shock 3-0 defeat to Watford.

Pearce, though, believes that the England international should come straight back in and partner Wijnaldum and James Milner.

The latter, of course, was exceptional against AFC Bournemouth at the weekend, pulling off a miraculous goal-line clearance that involved a last-ditch overhead kick.

That would involve benching £122m worth of talent, with Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for £35m, Fabinho for £39m, and Keita for £48m.

Call yourself a Liverpool expert? How much did each of these big-money January signings cost?

He said: “I would throw Henderson straight back in. And then what does Klopp do? I think even Milner should come into the equation, for one of those three midfield spots. Then of course you’ve got Wijnaldum, and if you want a more attacking look to the midfield you’ve got Oxlade-Chamberlain, you’ve got Naby Keita.

“But I don’t see Klopp picking a team that is really all-out attack in terms of the balance of that midfield, because he’ll know himself that control and discipline and experience is going to be absolutely key on the night.

He added: “Personally if I was picking the three to start in midfield, I’d go Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum. And then have Keita, Oxlade, Fabinho among the subs to change it.”

Balance

Balance is absolutely key.

Liverpool really need to ensure they get their equations right and ensure they have the ability throughout the pitch.

Having Henderson, Milner, and Wijnaldum on the pitch offers exactly that; the Englishmen are exceptional at carrying the ball and at screening the defence, while Wijnaldum has the legs to get up and down the pitch and affect the game in the final third.

More than anything, though, having the correct balance will allow the forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino to go about their business without a fear of the midfield and defence being caught out.

If Liverpool want to win the tie, that will be vital.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans have reacted to Emre Can’s quotes!