Noel Gallagher supports Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s criticism of early kick-off against Manchester City right after the international break
Former Oasis member Noel Gallagher agreed with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over the early kick-off against Manchester City. The Reds will play City at the Etihad Stadium on November 25 right after the November international break.
The safety advisory group changed the schedule from a late kick-off time for the game. Klopp criticised the change as many players on international duty across the continent will lack sufficient preparation time.
Only one point separates the Reds and league-leaders City as Liverpool are currently 2nd in the Premier League table. South American players require the most travel during the international break and they’re the late arrivals. Liverpool have Luis Diaz, Alisson Becker, Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister representing their respective nations in South America.
Speaking to talkSPORT (h/t Liverpool Echo), Gallagher supported Klopp and criticized the early kick-off while raising his fear over potential injuries to players. He said:
“It’s a nonsense that it’s at half-12, I’m with Klopp on this. The 12:30 kick-off is set up to benefit people in other parts of the world, Liverpool have got a lot of fans in southeast Asia and I would imagine there’s someone sitting there thinking when Liverpool play half 12 the global ratings go through the roof. It’s one of the biggest fixtures in England and we’re not going to see the best of the two teams, Lord knows who’s going to turn up injured.”
Liverpool’s game against City is their 14th early kick-off match spot after the international break since Klopp took over. Tottenham Hotspur is the second-closest team with only six early kick-off games. The Reds played in the high-profile Merseyside derby game against Everton after the October international break.
The discrepancy is visible to everyone yet there has not been a strong explanation for such unfairness in scheduling. Liverpool are already facing grievance from the match officials this season with a plethora of baffling decisions going against them.
Alexis and Darwin also take on each other in South American #WCQ action tonight pic.twitter.com/JUHDYHbL5v
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 16, 2023
The referees’ visibly critical errors resulted in sending off players like Mac Allister and Diogo Jota. The Reds also had a legitimate goal disallowed during their only loss in the Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur.
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The Kopites have not demanded any favourable treatment for their beloved club but everyone wants to see fairness in decision-making. The decision-makers shouldn’t force Liverpool to play more than half of the early kick-off games after the international break, compared to their rivals.
