Liverpool keeper Shamal George used as a striker by Jurgen Klopp against Huddersfield
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp embraces goalkeeper Shamal George after he played up front in the friendly win against Hudderfield. Getty
Jurgen Klopp is known for keeping his players on their toes but Liverpool goalkeeper Shamal George probably never expected to abandon his gloves and try his hand at being a striker.
The German used all of his outfield substitutes at half-time during a routine pre-season friendly victory against Huddersfield Town, managed by his former assistant David Wagner, forcing him into a tight spot when Lucas limped off with half-an-hour still to play.
Rather than electing to play the remainder of the match with 10 men, however, Klopp signalled to George, 18, to strip off from his goalkeeping jersey and switch into the famous Reds home shirt.
Marko Grujic's first-half strike had handed Liverpool with a slender lead at the John Smith's Stadium. George almost became the hero of the hour when he ghosted in behind the Huddersfield defence only to be flagged offside. A late penalty from Alberto Moreno sealed the victory.
Klopp explained himself at full-time, telling Liverpool's website: “They told me from the bench after I'd organised the system with 10 and said, 'Come on, we have Shamal!'”
Liverpool's Alberto Moreno (right) is congratulated on scoring his team's second goal by team mate Shamal George during the pre-season friendly match at John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield
Afterwards, George shared a picture on his Twitter page of himself mocked up clutching the Ballon d’Or trophy, the award handed to the best player in world football. Highly regarded among the Kirkby academy, the 18-year-old is considered to have a promising future ahead of him.
Meanwhile, a man has been arrested after a drone was seen flying above the stadium during the match. The gadget was spotted hovering above the pitch during the first-half, forcing the fixture to temporarily be halted after an hour.
