Jürgen Klopp explains three changes for Napoli clash
The intensity Jürgen Klopp expects Liverpool to encounter against Napoli tonight influenced his decision to bring in 'fresh legs' at Stadio San Paolo.
The Champions League holders begin the defence of their title by facing the Serie A side in the opening match of Group E.
In addition to the enforced replacement of the injured Divock Origi – with Roberto Firmino coming in – Klopp has also brought Jordan Henderson and James Milner back into midfield.
“We need to be intense tonight and for that we need some fresh legs,” the manager explained to BT Sport pre-match.
“We have that now in two positions in a very decisive area of the pitch. That’s clear. That was the plan for the line-up.”
On the challenge awaiting the Reds, Klopp said: “Now we know the line-up of the opponent – very offensive, they brought pretty much every offensive-minded player.
“It will be tricky, it will be lively. It has to be intense, you cannot play here with 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90 per cent; you have to play 100 per cent and that’s the plan obviously.
“Being brave with the ball yourself and play football, but first and foremost defend as well as possible because that’s a big strength of them, they are really flexible with that line-up.
“They can have different players in different positions; Insigne can play on the wing but Lozano can as well, so Insigne is [then] a No.10 or No.9. So different things are possible for them.
“We have to adapt in the game but in the best way that we have the ball and pass the ball around, that helps as well. And create our own chances, all that you want to see in a Champions League game.”