Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed how they silenced Arsenal by starting Jordan Henderson in midfield.
In his post-match comments, the German admitted that taking Gabriel Martinelli out of the game was key to victory over Arsenal last night and he tasked Henderson with that duty at the Emirates.
Reflecting on a 17th clean sheet of the season, Klopp said that they have been working on their defensive aspect of the game so as to improve on their last season’s outing.
“Today we win 2-0 but we had games we won 1-0 and we wouldn’t have won these games if we are not defensively spot on. The last line in general was incredible today. Ali saved us again, but what the two full-backs did was absolutely insane.
“I said it already before, but if one of you thinks still that Trent cannot defend then I’m sorry, you have no idea about football. Everybody who says that it is just madness.
“To play against Martinelli, what Hendo did running like 50 times to that side because in the second half we defended better and the only real option they had was to play the diagonal balls to Martinelli. Then you have these one-on-one situations constantly. These situations were the winner today; yes, we needed still to score goals, but that we defended them in these situations was essential,” Klopp said.
Next for the Reds is a tie against Nottingham Forest in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup before returning to league action against Watford next week.
