Jurgen Klopp has explained why he decided to play Gini Wijnaldum as a makeshift striker in Liverpool's Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona.
The Reds boss admits the versatile Dutch midfielder was surprised to learn that he would be tasked with filling Roberto Firmino's boots at the Nou Camp.
Strikers Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge were both overlooked after Klopp opted not to start Firmino, who had been hampered by a groin problem in the build up to the game.
Klopp insists that Wijnaldum's energy and defensive qualities were better suited to carrying out Liverpool's game plan. Wijnaldum put in a tireless shift before being replaced late on by Firmino.
"It was quite a big task,” Klopp said.
“I asked him 'What does it say about you' and he said 'I don't know' and I said 'You can play everything'.
“When I told him that he plays the position he was surprised, obviously, and it took 30 minutes to adapt but in the second half he was really good.
“We needed this kind of player, an offensive player who is quite good in defending as well because we could not ignore the quality of Barcelona.
“We needed a player between the lines who is good enough to keep the ball, pass the ball.
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“I know what people outside said, saying it was easier to play another striker, but there are different jobs to do on the pitch and Gini did really well.
“In a game like this, in a really small space and a completely new position for him – he played it in Holland and maybe at Newcastle – he is the player to do it.
“It is not about being this or that, you have to be a football player, you have to be a lot of things and he has this education so he was good, really good.”
