Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he went against the advice of ‘everybody’ to leave Roberto Firmino out against Chelsea on Friday night.

The Brazilian only had a minor injury and yet the German decided to show faith in the rest of his team and was rewarded with a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

That was a particularly big decision as Liverpool’s league record without Firmino starting since Klopp took over was abysmal. They had taken just nine points from those ten matches, beating Watford at Anfield but losing to Southampton (a), Swansea (a) and Crystal Palace (h).

Klopp admitted after the game: “This afternoon there were really difficult decisions to make with Roberto – a very good player and it was only a little issue, but I had to make the decision in the end to say it was not possible [for him to play].

“Everybody said we could take the risk, but I heard the word ‘risk’ too often and so said, ‘no, we can’t take it – Roberto is out’.

“To leave him out and then the other players play this kind of football is nice.”

Philippe Coutinho came into the side in Firmino’s stead and it was his sumptuous cross which was converted by Dejan Lovren for Liverpool’s opener.