‘I was shocked’: Paul Merson left stunned by what Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool earlier this week

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Paul Merson has claimed that he was shocked to see Jurgen Klopp make so many changes to his Liverpool side for their game against Southampton earlier this week.

The Reds are still hoping to pip Manchester City for the Premier League title, but Klopp and co know that the chances of that happening are extremely slim.

As a result, they are looking ahead to their Champions League final against Real Madrid. Klopp has to keep his players fresh for that game, which is why he made nine changes to his side against the Saints mid-week.

• Klopp shares what he said to Liverpool’s players in the dressing room before Saints win

Paul Merson: I was shocked to see Jurgen Klopp make so many changes

Of the 11 players that started for Liverpool against Chelsea in the FA Cup final last weekend, only Alisson and Ibrahima Konate got the nod mid-week to face Southampton.

Speaking about Liverpool’s final game of the season, Merson wrote on Sportskeeda: “You don’t come this far in a Premier League title race only to falter at the final hurdle, so I think Liverpool will win this one comfortably.

“I was shocked with the number of changes they made against Southampton, but the players Jurgen Klopp put out gave it everything they had to get all three points.”

“Liverpool should be able to win this one even without the services of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who were both withdrawn prematurely in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

“Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate were outstanding against Southampton and in attack, they are spoilt for choice with Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino all available for selection.”

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Everybody expected Klopp to make changes midweek after his side played 120 minutes in the FA Cup final. However, nobody really thought the German would take nine players out of his starting lineup.

It’s understandable that Merson was shocked, we were too.

However, the Reds did what they usually do even without nine of their regular starters – they got the job done against a tricky Southampton side, even after going a goal behind early on.

Liverpool may not win the quadruple this season, but the treble is still very, very likely.

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