Jurgen Klopp has explained the decision to select James Milner at right-back in Liverpool's Champions League romp at Genk.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold absent through illness, Milner was surprisingly chosen ahead of Joe Gomez at right-back as the Reds won 4-1 in Belgium on Wednesday night.
And Klopp believes the late withdrawal of Alexander-Arnold left him with little choice.
“I don't see it as though I picked James over Joe,” he said. “I only picked Millie.
“Trent, we found out on Tuesday morning that he had become ill. It wasn't a lot of time for us and we wanted to change as little as possible.
See how Liverpool's Champions League clash with Genk unfolded here
“In the way we wanted to play, Millie was the clear number one solution for that moment.
“But after 15 minutes already it was clear that we had to try to change a bit again.
“Joe did really well when he came on, he looked confident and clear. It was good. It was nothing against Joe (that he wasn't playing).”
Klopp – who declared Andy Robertson was “okay” having been substituted midway through the second half – admits Liverpool hadn't expected Genk's two-pronged attack.
Mbwana Samata played in behind Paul Onuachu with the duo causing the Reds defence some issues with balls over the top in the first half.
“If Genk play a 4-4-2, a 4-4-1-1, a lot of times the system is the same," said Klopp. "The only difference today was the offensive part with a pretty tall player on the pitch.
“It was a smart idea, it's not the first time teams have done this against us because you cannot win the first ball constantly every time.
“We tried not to make fouls and to win the challenge. But of course then they can put their bodies in there and fight for the second balls, and that is uncomfortable.
“We didn't expect it, but it wasn't a massive surprise.”
