Jurgen Klopp won't risk fielding semi-fit players against Southampton on Tuesday evening, even with the Premier League title on the line, according to Jamie Carragher.
The Reds head to the south coast knowing that only a victory will give them the chance to snatch the title away from Manchester City on the final day of the season. But with Klopp having to substitute big names stars such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk during Saturday's FA Cup final win against Chelsea, Sky Sports pundit Carragher does not see the German manager risking his key men with the Champions League final on the horizon.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football programme, Carragher said: "I don’t think Klopp will pick anyone where there’s a risk of injury. I know Man City dropped points and it opens the door slightly but I’d back that, I’d be surprised to see Salah, Van Dijk playing. We talk about the league, Champions League and what’s more important - Liverpool have got more chance of winning the Champions League.
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"I think if Liverpool play their best team in the Champions League it’s 80 per cent chance of winning that. You’ve got to remember for the Champions League semi-final both teams made massive changes to their team, Liverpool at Newcastle, City at Leeds because they knew how important it was so it certainly won’t be full strength."
Premier League top scorer Salah was forced off at Wembley in the 33rd minute and was replaced by Diogo Jota. Van Dijk was also withdrawn with a problem as the 90 minutes drew to a close, with Joel Matip taking over defensive duties for extra time. And left-back Andy Robertson also had to make way in extra-time, allowing Kosta Tsimikas to etch his name into FA Cup folklore by going on to score the winning penalty.
But with Manchester City's draw at West Ham United on Sunday offering a glimmer of Premier League title hope to the Reds, Klopp must decide just how many changes he can realistically afford to make if he wants to give his side every chance of achieving a miraculous final day title steal in front of a sold out Anfield.
