Klopp explains Liverpool line-up to face West Ham
Jürgen Klopp has explained the thinking behind his first line-up of the Premier League season.
The Reds kick off the campaign against West Ham United at Anfield, with two of their four summer signings – Alisson Becker and Naby Keita – named in the starting XI.
The other two, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri, are among the substitutes, while Joe Gomez partners Virgil van Dijk in defence.
“[Alisson] has to play his game. We have worked together for two weeks; that’s not the world but it’s OK,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“Naby was here for all six weeks of the pre-season, like Fabinho. Shaqiri came later. Both are in the squad, that’s very important for us.
“Usually in the past, I think I always played with the team of last year at the beginning of the season but Hendo came back a bit late and stuff like that, so it makes sense.
“And they played really well together in midfield, for example against Napoli. Gini, Naby and Millie have worked together since we started pre-season, so that’s the midfield we wanted to have.
“Up front is clear. The defensive line is pretty much the defensive line of last year; Joe [Gomez] is in now at centre-half, he played a good pre-season.
“Of course, I never forget the last season – why should I? But the actual performance and impression in training is more important, and that’s the line-up.”