Klopp: Players grasped 'cool deal' in Bournemouth tie
Jürgen Klopp was pleased to see the players he brought in for Wednesday's Capital One Cup meeting with Bournemouth grab the 'cool deal' on offer to them at Anfield.
The boss handed first senior starts to Cameron Brannagan, Connor Randall and Joao Carlos Teixeira for the fourth round contest, which was won 1-0 courtesy of Nathaniel Clyne’s goal.
In total there were nine changes by the German on a night when he oversaw his maiden victory at the helm and the Reds set up a quarter-final tie against Southampton in December.
And in assessing individual performances after the final whistle, Klopp explained how to a man he saw positives from those he selected for the task.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: “If it didn’t work, it’s my responsibility, my mistake, not theirs. But if they do well, it’s their victory – so that’s a cool deal.
“I’m really glad they did well. They came into the game better and better.
“For Cameron it was a difficult position. We didn’t close the space in the first half, so for Joe [Allen] it wasn’t so easy. We talked about it at half-time; we had two really wide wingers so there was big space to defend. So it was really intensive for this young guy.
“Then they played all of their long balls on the side of Connor – he had to make 20 to 40 headers! He made them better and better each minute.
“Teixeira, all I have seen until now in training is really good. He’s a good guy, he wants to learn, to improve and progress. Everything is OK.
“We don’t have to talk about [Jordon] Ibe; if we play with wingers, he is a real opportunity for us. He’s a big talent and he’s really learning what it means when I talk about defending, because you can’t only play offensively. He’s a good boy and we’ll have fun with him.
“It was a very important game too for Joe Allen. It was so difficult because we only had one hour to train what we did.
“Then you’re the only man in the middle of the field and it’s not easy to defend. The second half was brilliant from him, he really played well.
“Then we brought Lucas [on] and it was easier. For Dejan [Lovren] it was very important. Clyne as left full-back – I hope he can do the same on the right side!
“Divock [Origi] is working hard. It’s always the most difficult position in football. If you are young and everyone wants you to be experienced, that’s not possible. So you have to make your faults; he makes his faults but he will improve, I’m sure.”