Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blames TV broadcasters for reckless schedule
Speaking in an interview, as quoted by the Daily Star, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp criticised TV broadcasters for not ‘caring’ about the team and players when it comes to scheduling games.
With a 3-1 aggregate in the first leg, Jurgen Klopp’s team have the advantage over Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals. If the Reds win the tie tomorrow and advance to the semi-final, they would face Villarreal CF later this month.
But before that, they have a grand task in hand as they are set to face City in the FA Cup semi-final on April 16th. After meeting Pep Guardiola’s team, the Reds are set to play two complicated ties in the Premier League against Manchester United and Everton on 19th and 24th April, respectively.
In his recent press conference, Jurgen Klopp has shared how difficult the coming fixture will be for Liverpool.
“If we play a Champions League semi-final, find me another league in the world and another broadcaster who would put the one team in the semi-finals – it might be two or three English teams – on at 12.30.”
The German manager also lashed out at the media broadcaster for pushing such an irregular schedule and making it harder for players, coaches and clubs to give their 100% in every game.
“It’s like, ‘Throw them a little stick between the legs!’ What? What are you doing? Why would you do that? That’s why it’s so difficult; that’s why it never happens because nobody cares. It’s unbelievably difficult.”
After winning the Carabao Cup against Chelsea earlier this season, Liverpool have a genuine chance to complete the quadruple as they are alive and fighting in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup ties.
Is Jurgen Klopp’s reaction fair?
People want to see these types of fixtures as often as possible because they would gain the chance to celebrate and enjoy their favourite team’s success continuously. It is what brings in the money for the TV broadcasters too.
But it isn’t all that rosy for the personnel involved in these matches. The recent fixtures have created tremendous pressure on Jurgen Klopp and co and it is truly a surprise how our squad has retained their fitness coming into this month.
All these fixtures demand high mental and physical commitment from the players. However, without rest days in between, the players are being pushed to the edge. But Klopp should understand the importance of squad depth in this regard, even though his comments are completely fair and make utmost sense.
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That is why the signings of Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate in recent times have been beneficial for us and it is a sign that this coming summer, the club would be wise to strengthen themselves rather than weaken- like we did last summer when we saw the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Georginio Wijnaldum leave the club without signing a replacement.
