"I'm not their best friend" – Jurgen Klopp talks about Jordan Henderson and makes tough decisions in Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp insists that there is no room for feeling when it comes to making difficult selection decisions, stating: "I am their friend but not their best friend . "

The Liverpool boss was surprised by leaving captain Jordan Henderson out of his starting line for the first leg in the Champions League semifinal against Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Klopp revealed that this was due to Henderson's workload in recent weeks and the fact that he wanted him to do everything possible for Saturday's trip to the Premier League at Newcastle United.

While Liverpool continued to fight on two fronts, the manager said that he had to consider the matches of Nou Camp and St James's Park as equally vital.

"In your question, the idea that Newcastle is not as important as Barcelona is directly involved," Klopp said.

"Because Hendo has played five straight games, an exceptional form. Usually, I do not like to explain such things, but I do it once.

"Five consecutive games, the only one in the middle to have done that. And three games in six days were coming.

"So, it's clear that Hendo can not play these three games – so tell me which one is the most important?"

Henderson eventually left the bench halfway through the first half after Naby Keita injured his groin.

The skipper has maintained his excellent recent form and should be recalled against Rafa Benitez's team as the Reds seek to regain the top spot in Manchester City.

"It was clear that Hendo would play (against Barcelona) but would not start," added Klopp.

"Naby is now hurt, but you try to avoid that sometimes with different alignments. Naby did not play as many games as all the other players, so he could have been more resistant to injury, but it still happened.

"As I said, I am the friend of the players, but not their best friend. So, I can not make a decision because of 'It's a big game, so you can have this and an image', all that.

"I'm not like that – I've never been, I'll never be. I make decisions for good reasons – my good reasons obviously. And sometimes, people understand them and sometimes not.

"But in such situations, I expect the players to understand. There is not much explanation on this subject. There will be reactions, but not players, I hope. "