Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explained hooking Takumi Minamino at halftime for their 0-0 draw with Everton.

Picked to start on the right-hand side of the Reds' front three in the absence of Mohamed Salah at Goodison Park, the Japanese looked bright during the opening 45 minutes.

However, he was surprisingly withdrawn at the break, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming on to take his place on the wing for the second half.

Klopp told Sky Sports: “Before the game already I had the idea that I wanted to change really early, just not to wait until somebody has a little bit less than fresh legs.

“[It was] just to use the opportunity that five changes gives you. But Taki played well, he was really in the game.

“In the beginning it was a bit difficult but then he was in the game. [The sub] had nothing to do with Taki's performance, it was purely my idea just to try it."