Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has continued his criticism of the Premier League‘s fixture schedule, claiming only Manchester City are able to cope with playing twice in three days.
The Liverpool boss has been vocal in how strongly he disagrees with having the festive periods packed to the rafters full of top-flight football, and some have had enough of his outbursts.
His side were scheduled to take on Leeds United on Boxing Day (26th) before then travelling to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City on the 28th.
Klopp got his wish not to play two games in three days, albeit not in the circumstances he would’ve liked, after a Covid-19 outbreak at Leeds United resulted in the Reds’ Boxing Day clash with Marcelo Bielsa’s side being postponed.
It is one of two Boxing Day matches postponed, with the game between Wolves and Watford also called off due to a number of positive results among the Hornets players.
Klopp revealed in his post-match press conference on Wednesday night after beating Leicester in the EFL Cup that he felt people ‘don’t care’ about the risks of a tight-packed month of football.
“The problem is, and will always be, there’s no reason for it,” he said.
“I have no problem with the Christmas games, Boxing Day is a wonderful game. Nobody wants to cancel that. Just 26th and 28th is absolutely impossible. It’s a joke that they still do it. No problem to play 26th and 29th.
“Where’s the problem, with the 28th not being a matchday. Then people can see the families. It’s still the shortest of all possible breaks but fine. 26th and 28th is just not right, and we will say it all the time.
“People can say they earn so much, it’s nothing to do with that. We can play 26th and 29th but it’s really dangerous for the players. They say that’s what a squad is for, but everybody expects to win.
“We cannot just mix it through, there are maybe two teams when everyone is fit, but Chelsea is not fit now, City might have the squad for two games, 11 players and go through the Premier League. But other teams cannot do that. It’s really tricky and that’s the problem.”
These Klopp’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Chief, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters.
leave us alone https://t.co/b1LSGMB4sP
— 🌟 (@LucasMCFC_) December 23, 2021
The excuses have started again…
— SnV Plasma (@SnV_Plasma) December 23, 2021
It’s embarrassing now
— mulwa (@mulmulwasi) December 23, 2021
You’ll never hear Pep complain bout putting up his team to complete and win that’s why he has won much than these lot.
— ‘Ruff Fredric’💙 (@DestinyFredric4) December 23, 2021
— Shaurya Sharma (@shauryasharma41) December 23, 2021
Rent free
— Serena🦋 (@PFoden_) December 23, 2021
Even if he has a point, he completely negates it by crying and mentioning city as if we’ve been gifted some advantage. Our club is run well, in fact Liverpool have a bigger squad & have used more this PL season. I thought Klopp was the master of turning average players good?
— JD ☯️ (@JDGrphcs) December 23, 2021
Honestly do you ever hear Pep talking about Klopp unless it’s because we have a fixture with them? Nopeeeee this fella is obsessed https://t.co/FWEX1Q7CTQ
— FaeMCFC💙 (@Fae36553524) December 23, 2021
These Klopp’s comments have not also gone down well with two well-known radio pundits.
Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist were debating the German’s comments on talkSPORT, and the pair agreed that he has one of the best squads to cope with such a demanding schedule.
Brazil said: “The word you are missing Jurgen is ‘tradition’. Stop changing it you numpty!
“With the benefits of the squad he’s got and the size he’s got… for God’s sake.”
McCoist added: “I know what he’s saying, but we’ve been doing it for years. It is part and parcel of British footballing culture.
“That’s what we do. Just get on with it!
“I know he wants another 24 hours and his physio and medical staff will be saying stuff, of course they will. But he’s better off than anybody else, in terms of the squad he’s got.
“I can understand what he’s saying. However, you can’t beat a bit of tradition. The old British football over the festive period. Games flying at us left, right and centre. You can’t beat it.”
City have been competing in FOUR competitions consistently for the past 5-6 seasons. LiVArpool get the quarters of the league Cup for once and start having a whinge. Leave it out would ya’.