With Alberto Moreno impressing in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Bayern Munich, Jurgen Klopp suggested the left-back could still stay beyond the summer.
Moreno made a surprise start as the Reds took on the Bundesliga champions on Tuesday night, with summer signing Andrew Robertson left on the substitutes’ bench.
Klopp made a total of nine changes at the Allianz Arena, with Moreno, Dejan Lovren and Loris Karius the only players remaining on the field for the full 90 minutes.
The Spaniard was rightly retained throughout, as he produced a man-of-the-match display in Munich, including laying on the second goal of the night with a cross for Mohamed Salah.
Addressing reporters after the game, Klopp was questioned as to Moreno’s future, with the Reds reported to be preparing for the No. 18’s departure.
“If he plays like he did today, yeah,” he said when asked if the 25-year-old could stay.
“That was a really good game by Alberto. That’s why we kept him playing, every second he was playing better, he was more present.
“He’s really fit. He has a little problem with his thigh, but we had a test with him this morning and he played really well.
“The players decide themselves how many games they play.”
With Robertson arriving from Hull City for £8 million, and James Milner still expected to compete for a starting role at left-back, Moreno faces a considerable challenge.
It would be remiss to suggest one performance in pre-season could alter Klopp’s perception, particularly given Moreno was poor against Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
But Tuesday’s display certainly proved the former Sevilla defender is capable of shining for the Reds.
Moreno, can you turn it all around? Would freaking love it man! Even I doubted you, but things might change my fellow left back ????
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) August 1, 2017
Even his predecessor, and a notable critic, John Arne Riise is hopeful of a turnaround.
