Steve McManaman forced into instant U-turn live on TNT Sports after genius Liverpool decision
As Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot has no need to justify his decisions to anyone. He proved as such with the double substitution of Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas vs Nottingham Forest which left Steve McManaman to backtrack heavily.
First-placed Liverpool went to the City Ground on Tuesday night for a Premier League clash with third-place Nottingham Forest.
A disjointed first-half display left the hosts to celebrate a 1-0 lead, courtesy of Chris Wood.
Little in the opening stages of the second half could inspire confidence of a Reds fightback, so that forced Slot to turn to his bench.
The decision made was to take off central defender Ibrahima Konate for striker Diogo Jota while making the like-for-like change of Kostas Tsimikas on for Andy Robertson.
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"He almost thinks as if he doesn’t need another centre back - Virgil van Dijk will pick up Chris Wood one-for-one and that’s the end of it."
"Yeah [it’s a bold decision]," the club's former midfielder McManaman questioned on commentary duty for TNT Sports, adding: "Especially when you’ve got Konate’s height for a header.
"That’s why he’s Liverpool manager," he finished, and no sooner than the sentence was spoken the Greek full-back had floated a following corner kick into the six-yard box and Jota had glanced it into the far corner.
The away supporters behind the goal roared in delight as Slot and his staff celebrated on the touchline. McManaman happily ate his own words.
He continued: "I cannot believe it. How does that work? Tsimikas cross, Jota scores. That is ridiculous. Let’s be honest, one of the smallest men is up between Murilo and Chris Wood to score. Incredible substitution by the manager.
"You didn’t think it’d come from a corner, did you? Andy Robertson’s last free-kick was poor and he’s been taking the corners.
"Tsimikas comes on, straight away puts one on the money - fair play to him! I questioned why’s he bringing Konate off because of the size - suddenly he scores the header."
