“We are finally freed from the shackles”, “God loves me” – Liverpool fans celebrate as Jurgen Klopp drops one player from starting XI ahead of Ajax clash
Liverpool fans are celebrating Jurgen Klopp's decision to drop James Milner for their clash with Ajax in the Champions League on September 13 at Anfield.
Milner has drawn the ire of Reds fans since the start of the season for disappointing performances.
The veteran midfielder has been a regular starter due to injury issues to the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita.
However, Milner will not start against an Ajax side who are in scintillating form. The Amsterdam outfit have won all seven games played in all competitions.
Klopp has rung the changes to take on the Eredivisie champions with Fabinho, Thiago and Harvey Elliott starting in midfield.
That selection has Reds supporters excited given the backlash Klopp has been receiving for fielding Milner and Jordan Henderson.
Alisson Becker starts in goal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgin van Dijk and Kostas Tsimkas in defense.
Alexander-Arnold was slammed for his performance in the Merseysiders' demoralizing 4-1 defeat to Napoli last week.
The English right-back appears to be a lot more capable defensively with Matip beside him rather than Joe Gomez.
Here's how we line up tonight to face Ajax 📋🔴
#LIVAJA | #UCL
Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota start in attack. This means club-record signing Darwin Nunez starts on the bench for the second game in a row.
Nevertheless, Liverpool fans are thrilled to see Milner not in Klopp's starting XI. Here are some reactions from fans on Twitter:
@LFC No Milner on my fucking screen get in
@LFC No Milner thank god
@LFC Thank God Milner Ain't Starting
@LFC Milner benched https://t.co/5PCAnxuzk5
We are finally freed from the shackles of Milner https://t.co/dBG7fthSrA twitter.com/lfc/status/156…
Milner benched GOD LOVES ME twitter.com/lfc/status/156… https://t.co/SgoxCRmk6E
FINALLY NO MILNER twitter.com/lfc/status/156… https://t.co/MpsSx69zmN
Liverpool need to bounce back from Napoli horror show
Liverpool's 4-1 defeat to Napoli last week was perhaps one of the worst performances from the side ever since Klopp took in 2015.
The Reds were lethargic, devoid of ideas and lacked spirit which is concerning given the extraordinary past season they achieved.
Klopp's men lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and were en route towards unprecedented quadruple success.
However, the start to the new season has been a stark contrast and the Merseysiders are lacking in confidence.
Tonight's game is the perfect opportunity to get the fans back onboard and backing the team to bounce back from their current poor run of form.
Ajax are no pushovers though, with new manager Alfred Schreuder really impressing at the helm.
The Amsterdam outfit thrashed Rangers 4-0 last time out and will be looking to pounce on any nervous hesitation in the Liverpool backline.
The likes of Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk will need to be at their best.