Phil Neville explains why Liverpool are doing better than last season

LIVERPOOL are better than they were last season because Jurgen Klopp is keeping his squad fresh.

That’s the opinion of Match of the Day pundit Phil Neville.

The Reds ran riot at Brighton on Saturday as they won 5-1 to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to six games.

Star winger Sadio Mane started on the bench, days after Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho were dropped against Stoke.

And Neville, who won six league titles at Manchester United, believes Klopp has learnt from the mistakes that saw them fade away in the second half of last season.

“I think it goes down to the rotation of his team,” he said.

“He’s made 54 changes this year compared to 24 last year.

Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho GETTY

Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho were both dropped for the midweek win at Stoke

“I think what he’s doing this year is that he’s spreading the workload.”

Match of the Day 2 pundit Phil Neville

“I think what happened last year is he got to the Christmas period, they were in unbelievable form.

“They got to the new year, they were still up there at the top of the league and then they hit a massive brick wall physically. They got too many injuries.

“I think what he’s doing this year is that he’s spreading the workload.

“This week he’s rotated his team, he’s left Mane out twice, Salah, Firmino - his big players.

“So when it comes to the Christmas period, the January period, which is massive when you’re going for the league and the Champions League, he’s got all his players fit and fresh.

Jurgen Klopp and Sadio Mane GETTY

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp dropped Sadio Mane for Saturday's win at Brighton

“I think that is a massive change in philosophy from Klopp.

“They like to play at full speed every single game and now they’re all fresh.”

Liverpool are currently fourth in the table, 14 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.

They’re back in action this week as they host Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday before the Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday (2.30pm).

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