Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp sprang a major surprise before kick-off against Everton on Sunday afternoon by leaving Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino out of his starting line-up.
The in-form duo, who starred in the 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow in mid-week, were omitted for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke, respectively.
It was a major gamble by Klopp and most Liverpool fans were scratching their heads at the decision.
Klopp clearly felt that his team could win this match without Coutinho and Firmino, preferring to save the two Brazilians for Wednesday night’s clash against West Brom instead.
It very nearly paid off. Mohamed Salah’s superb solo goal made it 1-0 to Liverpool at the break but a late Wayne Rooney penalty, following a poor piece of defending by Dejan Lovren, sealed a point for the Toffees.
WHAT LIVERPOOL FANS HAVE BEEN TWEETING ABOUT SOLANKE
Liverpool fans on social media were particularly disappointed by the performance of Solanke, who was handed his second start of the season.
The 20-year-old impressed on his first start against Stoke City last month but Liverpool fans couldn’t help but express their disappointment with the young forward on Twitter.
Here are just a selection of the many tweets from Liverpool fans bashing Solanke’s performance…
I like Solanke but fuck me he was shit today was like playing with 10 men
— SimplyWijnaldum (@GiniWijnaldum5) December 10, 2017
FUCK SOLANKE!! Fucking poes! Doesn’t even know how to open up for the ball. He’s shit! https://t.co/biD6BoLuiq
— Lale (@DirdyLALE) December 10, 2017
Solanke is honestly shocking
— Ollie Cole (@OliverCole97) December 10, 2017
Henderson, Lovren, Solanke just not up to the job. Wtf was Klopp thinking by playing them!!! Awful game
— 5 Times***** (@DannyMoran_ynwa) December 10, 2017
That’s fucking bullshit from Klopp. This is the Merseyside Derby. Subs were awful too. Who’s idea was it to buy Solanke and loan Origi?
— . (@SuarezMojo) December 10, 2017
How did solanke last that long? Been awful all day
— De La Red (@delaredman) December 10, 2017
Thought Solanke didn’t take his chance well, positionally poor on some quality crosses from the wings. Plus he needs to learn how to hold the ball up better #LIVvEVE
— Alex Jones (@ajones124) December 10, 2017