Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp selected Naby Keita to start against Real Madrid because of his dribbling ability and performances in training.
The Guinea international has only started one other game for the Reds in the Champions League this season but replaces Thiago Alcantara in the engine room for the quarter-final first-leg against Real Madrid.
"I couldn't avoid Naby Keita anymore with his performances in training in the last two weeks," Klopp told BT Sport. "He should play good, that would be nice. He is in a really good moment and he brings special things in.
"Real kind of man-mark, so you need dribblers who can turn and make the next situation a big advantage. That is Naby's job tonight.
"Leaving Thiago out was not easy. It's about how we can get fresh legs in. We have to be really clear in the things we do."
Elsewhere, Diogo Jota replaced Roberto Firmino in the front three and Klopp explained that choice was in order for the Reds to keep Zinedine Zidane's men "busy" while also not leaving the Portugal international's excellent goalscoring form on the bench.
The manager added: "It's about what we want to bring on the pitch tonight and Diogo brings that very well.
"Of course, he is in a goal scoring moment and we don't want to leave that on the bench that is clear. But, I like the team - we have to be really clear in the things we do.
"We have to keep Madrid busy in departments they don't like."
