The Brazil international has been a mainstay of the success the Reds have enjoyed since his move from Monaco four years ago, but was surprisingly left out of last night’s starting line-up.
Klopp selected an all-English midfield comprising of Jordan Henderson, Milner and Harvey Elliott, but that trio struggled to stamp its authority on the game as United outran and overpowered their opponents.
Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford hardly reflected the dominance enjoyed by Erik ten Hag’s side and it wasn’t until the introduction of Fabinho on the hour mark that the visitors were able to exert any concerted pressure.
It was captain Henderson who made way for Fabinho, while Milner, who endured a frustrating evening during which he clashed on several occasions with his own teammate Virgil van Dijk, was replaced by youngster Fabio Carvalho with just over a quarter of an hour remaining.
Asked if the decision to bench Fabinho was related to a fitness issue, Klopp replied: ‘No, we have in the moment five senior midfielders and we have to start with three.
‘We could start with two if we would have more attackers but we have only three attackers, so it means we start with three and then we change during the game and it’s like how we want to start.
‘And how we want to change, we have to think before the game and that’s the only reason for it. This is not the story of the game as well.
‘It’s just the decision for this game.’
Liverpool have been reluctant to strengthen their midfield during the transfer window and appear ready to wait until next summer to launch a bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
That decision could backfire given the injury to Thiago Alcantara that has ruled him out since the opening weekend, while Naby Keita now also appears set for a spell on the sidelines.
‘We need further assessment, but it doesn’t look like that tomorrow he is in training,’ said Klopp when asked for an assessment of Keita’s latest setback.
‘But we need further assessment. It’s just Sunday, yesterday, and then whether we know more tomorrow, I don’t know.’
MORE : Jurgen Klopp aims dig at Manchester United’s ‘confused’ defenders as he bemoans Liverpool loss
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