BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has destroyed Jurgen Klopp for loaning out Nathaniel Clyne to Bournemouth as the “biggest mistake” he’s made in four years as manager.
The former striker has insisted the decision to offload the right-back at the midway point of the season when both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez were suffering with injuries “could cost them the title”.
Sutton gave his verdict as he assessed whether Liverpool’s second consecutive draw on Monday meant their campaign had gone off the rails.
“Liverpool’s lack of depth is alarming. Letting Clyne leave on loan — with no ability to recall him — is the biggest mistake Klopp has made at Liverpool. It could cost them the title,” Sutton told the Daily Mail.
“Milner did a valiant job at right back but Liverpool missed his influence in midfield. Neither Adam Lallana nor Naby Keita turned up at West Ham, but they weren’t the only ones. How many times did Roberto Firmino misplace passes?
“This was one of Liverpool’s worst performances so far. They were vulnerable at set-pieces and toothless in attack. Bournemouth on Saturday is huge. Liverpool need a convincing win. Clyne will not be involved as he cannot play against his parent club. How Klopp must wish he could call him down from the stands.”
OPINION
Clyne has started Bournemouth’s last four league matches, which is an indicator of his enduring quality after he came off the sidelines to deliver an impressive performance for Liverpool at right-back in their December win over Manchester United at Anfield. That did not do enough to convince Klopp to hang on to him for the rest of the campaign. There is now renewed focus on that decision, particularly as Alexander-Arnold suffered a knee problem in the win at Brighton, his second injury of the winter period. Gomez was out with a lower leg fracture at the time – it emerged earlier this week he will undergo surgery on the problem – of Clyne’s departure and while Klopp felt that he had adequate cover, sanctioning the deal was a gamble he did not need to take. He talked of needing to be fair to a player who had hardly featured and of allowing him the chance of regular first-team football. Yet Klopp had to be selfish and put the club first. Clyne is a contracted player and Liverpool’s title bid must override everything else.