Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed the contents of a note handed to Daniel Sturridge during his side’s EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Southampton.
Sturridge was seen relaying instructions to several Reds team mates including Adam Lallana from a sheet of paper during the first leg reversal at St Mary’s.
The England international endured a difficult evening as the Saints took a one-goal advantage into the return fixture at Anfield in a fortnight’s time.
When asked about the details of the note, Klopp replied: “New system. Whatever we want to call it, 3-5-2.
“Lucas at the back, Emre in the centre, two wingers, two strikers. Half space for Lallana and Coutinho. That’s all.
“No more information but it was enough. Maybe it was a little bit too late.
“We gave the paper when the game was already running again, that was our mistake.
“I would say seven or eight [players] knew immediately. Roberto [Firmino] needed a little longer, but he was close enough to us. Things like this happen.
“That’s not about being frustrated. That’s about thinking you have chance, that’s all.
“What type of guy would I be if I sit outside, if we play well, I think I’m a wonderful manager, that’s not like this, we tried to help.
“We thought it makes sense to have real wingers, high, make it more difficult for them to defend the wing, to have to play someone in the centre, Phil [Coutinho] and Adam.
“Two strikers. Roberto with Daniel. That’s all, it’s not because we’re frustrated.”