Former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson has backed the starting XI named by Reds boss JurgenKlopp for the shock defeat to Burnley in their last Premier League game at Anfield on Thursday. Glen Johnson told Sky Sports that Klopp was right to make wholesale changes to his team as the players are mentally tired.
The Liverpool manager surprised a lot of people by leavingout star attackers like Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino from the starting line-up for the Burnley game at home on Thursday night. In the end, the many changes to the starting XI didn’t pay off for Klopp as he saw his team lose at home in the league for the first time in almost four years.
JurgenKlopp named DivockOrigi, XerdanShaqiri and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain in his starting XI at the expense of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and the injured skipper Jordan Henderson. Belgian international Origi had the chance to give Liverpool the lead towards the end of the first half when he was through on goal after the error from Burnley skipper Ben Mee. Origi hit the crossbar with the big chance when it was easier to score.
Liverpool were left to rue the miss from DivockOrigiafter their visitors scored in the final six minutes to take all three points. Reds shot stopper Alisson Becker was culpable for the penalty won by Burnley striker Ashley Barnes. Ashley Barnes picked himself up to score the penalty and hand his team a 1-0 win at the home of Liverpool. The Premier League champions had not lost a league game at home for 68 matches until the Burnley game last night. The last defeat for Liverpool at home before Thursday night was against South London outfit Crystal Palace and it happened almost four years ago.