Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp hits out at TV Premier League bosses again
Spiky Jurgen Klopp hits out at Premier League and TV bosses AGAIN for Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Newcastle just days after a potential Champions League semi-final… as he moans that jam-packed schedules don’t happen in other leagues!
- Jurgen Klopp has never shied away from talking about protecting player welfare
- He has called out top-flight bosses and television broadcasters over scheduling
- The Liverpool boss said the only focus is the next game, given the hectic period
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has once again criticised Premier League bosses and television broadcasters for handing Liverpool a Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Newcastle days after a possible Champions League semi-final.
The Reds boss has been vocal on the importance of protecting players amid hectic fixture schedules during his time in England and raised the issue ahead of his side’s clash in Europe this week.
The Merseyside giants are still competing on three fronts after winning the Carabao Cup in February but said the focus is only on the next game, given the jam-packed programme.
Jurgen Klopp has once again criticised Premier League bosses and television broadcasters
‘The fixture list we have now… we have to get through. I am only concerned about Benfica now. Then City Saturday. United, Everton and maybe a semi,’ Klopp said ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Benfica on Wednesday.
‘BT and Premier League gave us Newcastle 12.30… people want to see us on TV as we’re hot, I couldn’t care less.
‘It’s unbelievable. We played City, so tough, how could I think about other competitions? We play Benfica, I cannot think of anything else. We just try to make it to the last, final decisive step.
Klopp’s Liverpool are trying to reclaim the Premier League title from Pep Guardiola’s Man City
LIVERPOOL FIXTURES
April 13: Benfica (H)
April 16: Manchester City (N)
April 19: Manchester United (H)
April 24: Everton (H)
April 26/27: Possible Champions League semi-final
April 30: Newcastle (A)
May 3/4: Possible Champions League semi-final
May 7: Tottenham (H)
May 10: Aston Villa (A)
May 15: Southampton (A)
May 22: Wolves (H)
‘If we play a Champions League semi-final, if you find another league in the world and another broadcaster who would put the one team in the semi-final on a 12.30pm kick-off… what are you doing? Why would you do that?’
Klopp reiterated the pressure and demands on his stars when asked about five substitutions, which could be introduced into the top flight next season, adding: ‘We have to make these (five) changes. We have to keep our performance level up and that is only possible (with the subs). We’ve had 50 games in our legs in April.’
Liverpool head into Wednesday’s match 3-1 up following a strong performance in Portugal last week, with the European showdown sandwiched in between two games with title rivals Manchester City.
After playing out a 2-2 draw at the Etihad to remain one point behind Pep Guardiola’s side at the weekend, the heavyweights meet again on Saturday at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Reds then welcome rivals Manchester United next Tuesday before hosting Merseyside rivals Everton on April 24.
Should Liverpool beat Benfica and progress to the Champions League semi-finals, the first leg will be either on April 26 or April 27 against Villarreal or Bayern Munich, with the Saturday 12.30pm kick-off in Newcastle on April 30.
In the 2020-21 season Klopp claimed clubs were ‘alone’ in protecting players.
‘The Premier League and TV broadcasters gave us a challenge, because they don’t care if our players play in Peru on a Wednesday night, they say they can then play again on Saturday,’ he said.
‘In these moments, clubs we are alone. I really think, here in their own country, Premier League and broadcasters don’t care. You have to make sure you brings players home in quickest and most safe way. This is the situation we are in.’
Klopp is less than impressed at the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Newcastle on April 30
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