Jürgen Klopp has explained why Georginio Wijnaldum was the man used in an advanced position against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

With Roberto Firmino on the bench for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final after injury, Wijnaldum moved forward to supplement Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in attack.

Asked about the Dutchman’s versatility and his role against Barcelona, at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp said: “It was quite a big task.

“I said to him: ‘What does it say about you?’ He said: ‘I don’t know.’ I said: ‘That you can play everything!’ When I told him that he plays the position, he was surprised himself.

“It was for different reasons and he needed 30 or 35 minutes to adapt really to it, but then he did brilliantly and the second half was really good.

“We needed this kind of player, an offensive player who is quite good in defending as well, because we cannot ignore the quality of Barcelona obviously. But we needed a player between the lines who is good enough to keep the ball and pass the ball.

“I know for people outside it’s easy to say, ‘[You need] another striker’ or whatever. There are different jobs to do on the pitch. Gini did really well.

“In a game like this, in a really small space, in a completely new position for him – he played it in Holland and he played offensive wing at Newcastle, so he knew about it – he is the player to do it.

“As a football player you have to be educated in a lot of things and he has this education. So it helped, it was really good.”

Klopp confirmed in his preview to the Premier League clash with Newcastle United that midfielder Naby Keita is out for two months after sustaining an injury in Spain.

The manager was asked whether the Guinean’s absence for the remaining games of the season could provide an opportunity for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“Yes, of course, it’s perfect that he’s back. We will see. It’s very good that Ox is there and he will be for sure in the squad. Then we have to make a decision who starts,” said Klopp.

“It’s good. We will use him, of course. There’s nothing good to say about Naby’s injury but that Ox is back is brilliant, yes.”