Without Liverpool duo Klopp's side are as sharp as a Primark suit, says Robbie Fowler

Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2018 by squawka.com

Liverpool started the Merseyside derby without Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino and drew a blank in the process, prompting Robbie Fowler to label Klopp's attack as "sharp as a Primark suit" without the pair.

The Reds were off the pace against Everton, lacking their usual infectious brand of free-flowing football with an eye on Tuesday's Champions League tie with Man City, as the cross-city rivals played out a drab affair at Goodison Park.

Liverpool were forced to make a number of changes because of various injury problems, and Fowler believes his former side lack the requisite rhythm to compete without their usual attacking trident of Mane, Salah and Firmino.

With the club's crucial second leg Champions League quarter-final match against Manchester City on Tuesday evening, Klopp was taking no risks with his selection, giving rare starts to Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke.

Mane was the only player of the Red's attacking three to start the match, with Firmino entering the fray in the second-half, and the Anfield club created few chances in the match.

As a result, Fowler has criticised Liverpool's attack without Salah and Firmino starting in the side.

In his Daily Mirror column, Fowler wrote: "Jurgen Klopp will be seriously concerned by Liverpool's lack of cutting-edge depth ahead of Tuesday's season-defining clash with Manchester City.

"Without Mo Salah or Roberto Firmino, Liverpool were nowhere near sharp enough in the final third of the pitch.

"In fact, they were about as sharp as a Primark suit. It is, though, understandable.

"Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke have had hardly any game time this season, and have never really played together, certainly not in a game with this intensity.

"It was always going to be a big ask for them to reproduce Liverpool's first-choice counter-attacking verve.

"Yet Klopp knows this lack of options is a real worry. All the top teams have strength in depth up front – I sometimes think Jose Mourinho at Manchester United is collecting forwards for his World Cup sticker album!

"Liverpool have a front three… and then nothing too obvious beyond that, with both Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge out on loan."

Liverpool are set to welcome back Salah for the midweek clash against City, despite the forward suffering a slight groin strain in the first leg.

And Fowler believes if he is not fit to start the match, then his former side could be in trouble. He continued: "Obviously, Salah will be the key on Tuesday in the quarter-final second leg.

"If he's fit, then that is a massive weapon. If he's not, then we saw in the derby how Klopp's team will struggle to find any pace or penetration on the break."

Liverpool will lock horns with City on Tuesday evening at the Etihad, going into the match with a 3-0 aggregate lead.