Klopp told to take pay cut as UEFA chief Ceferin hits back at Liverpool boss

Jurgen Klopp has been warned that he will have to take a pay cut if he wants fewer games in the new Champions League format.

As the fallout from the Super League debacle continues, UEFA have also drawn criticism for their plans to increase teams competing in their elite club competition from 32 to 36.

That propose format will see the group stages replaced by a single league format before the knockouts; increasing the number of games for each team.

But that is a concern for Liverpool manager Klopp, who has been outspoke on breakaway proposals and jam-packed schedules for a couple of years.

Speaking ahead of his side's 1-1 draw with Newcastle over the weekend, the German manager said: "Ten games rather than six and no idea where to put them in.

"The only people who never get asked are the coaches, the players and the supporters.

“UEFA didn’t ask us, the Super League didn’t ask us. It’s just always ‘play more games’. The new Champions League, what’s the reason for that? Money… I have no idea how we’re supposed to deal with even more games.

“You can’t have 20 teams in a league, two cup competitions, 10 international games before Christmas,” Klopp added. “These things aren’t possible.”

But UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has hit back at Klopp, though he insists European football's governing body is open to alternative ideas.

However the Slovenian chief says that players and managers will have to accept a pay cut if the competition remains as it is.

He told the Mail on Sunday : "Some coaches and players said too many matches.

"There can always be less matches but also the salaries of the players and coaches have to adapt. You cannot generate less and earn more all the time.

"I read some people saying: 'We don’t want more matches.' I’m fine with that, really, I am. If the Champions League stays as it is, it will still be the best competition in the world.

"Our reforms came about because clubs need help responding to the financial crisis. We can carry on as we are but clubs will go out of business. And who does that hurt most? Their fans.

"So, while I understand what some people are saying, I’d ask them 'What is your solution?' We believe the reforms we are making have advantages for everyone.

"But we have been clear they are not fully set in stone so, if those people have better ideas that safeguard the future of football as well as ours, I will listen."

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