Laga leg pertama semifinal Carabao Cup seharusnya dimainkan Kamis (6/1/2021) atau Jumat dini hari WIB.
Namun, pertandingan tersebut akhirnya ditangguhkan lantaran banyak kasus Covid-19, terutama di kubu Merseyside.
Wabah Covid-19 memang sedang menghantam Liverpool. Pelatih Jurgen Klopp dan asistennya Pep Lijnders sudah dinyatakan positif, juga beberapa pemain lainnya dipastikan terinfeksi.
The Uruguayan, who spent three years with the Reds, has scored 19 goals for Atletico Madrid this season, but Hoddle says his performances against Chelsea in the Champions League suggest the striker is past his best:
“I can’t see that happening if I’m honest. I’ve watched Suarez this season, obviously against Chelsea. He relied on pace, that little bit of zip over five or six years, he hasn’t got that any more. I don’t think Liverpool will be looking to buy Suarez any more, I really don’t.”
Suarez’s goal return in La Liga this season is certainly impressive but Hoddle is right to point out that the 34-year-old has lost a yard or two of pace, which makes it hard to see him succeeding in the Premier League again.
In his first spell with Liverpool, the forward was known for his intensity, high pressing and ability to get the better of opponents one-on-one. However, these days, he is more of a goal poacher who hangs around the six-yard box.
Whether manager Jurgen Klopp would consider Suarez for a role as a regular starter, it is unlikely, but he could well be looked at as an option who could make an impact from the bench.
Senada dengan Hoddle, Danny Mills juga mempertanyakan mengapa Klopp tidak bisa dipaksa memainkan pemain U 23-nya
Itu dilakukan pelatih asal Jerman itu pada 2019-2020, ketika dia dipaksa memainkan pertandingan Piala Liga sebelum timnya pergi ke Piala Dunia Klub.
“Anda hanya dapat membatalkan permainan jika Anda memiliki begitu banyak kasus Covid,” kata Mills.
“Anda memiliki skuad U-23 yang tidak termasuk dalam skuad 25 pemain itu.
“Liverpool memainkan mereka ketika mereka pergi untuk bermain di Piala Dunia Klub.
“Jadi mereka memiliki pemain yang tersedia, mereka memiliki pemain U-23 yang bisa bermain, sangat tangguh, jadi seharusnya bisa dimainkan.”
