Jurgen Klopp sent a strong message by selecting a strong Liverpool XI against Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday, given many critics had speculated over his starting line-up in the days leading to the gameweek 29 encounter.
After his cameo in the Reds’ FA Cup defeat by Chelsea, Mohamed Salah was one of the regulars who returned against Eddie Howe’s side, with the Premier League leaders looking to prevent successive defeats in the league and three on the spin in all competitions.
Ideally, Klopp will have wanted his team to score their goals early, preserve some star players by taking them off with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in mind and then let the game peter out in the closing stages.