Taken from the BBC
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says upcoming opponents Manchester United's schedule of three Premier League games in five days is a "crime".
Klopp's side travel to Old Trafford on Thursday after their match on Sunday, 2 May was postponed due to fan protests.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won 3-1 away to Aston Villa on Sunday but a side showing 10 changes lost 2-1 at home to Leicester City on Tuesday.
"To play Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday is a crime," Klopp said on Wednesday.
Following Leicester's win over a much-changed United - which took the Foxes above Chelsea to third in the table - dethroned champions Liverpool are sixth, seven points adrift of the Champions League places.
They have one game in hand on West Ham and Chelsea above them, and two on Leicester who are nine points ahead.
"It is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the players," Klopp added, when asked about the Manchester United boss making 10 changes against Leicester.
"My question to myself was: 'Would I have done the same?' Yes. You have to. You have to."
About 200 fans broke into Old Trafford to protest against the Glazer family's ownership of the club, leading to the postponement of the Liverpool fixture, the first Premier League match to be postponed because of fan protests.
"The explanation from the Premier League was that no other team should suffer because of the things that happened in Manchester," Klopp said.
"Let me say it like this. That didn't work out pretty well. A little bit West Ham [suffered], a little bit Liverpool [suffered].
"But if we don't qualify for the Champions League it is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his team selection or the Premier League, it is our fault."
Second-placed United's defeat by Leicester on Tuesday also confirmed Manchester City's third league title in four seasons.
Klopp described City manager Guardiola as the "best manager in the world", after the Spaniard claimed his ninth European league title as a manager.
"A great achievement, congratulations. I texted Pep last night and Ilkay [Gundogan]. It was a very difficult year for the whole world, for football teams as well, and what they achieved so far this year is exceptional."
a class act is our Jurgen
Klopp: Utd schedule a “Crime”
posted on 12/5/21
I agree. It is ridiculous why the PL thought that schedule was acceptable.
United and Leicester could have played tonight instead of last night. Liverpool and West Brom could have also played tonight. United and Liverpool then play Sunday. And United and Fulham moved from next Tuesday to next Wednesday.
posted on 12/5/21
Most footballers cover 7 miles in a football game. The recovery is important. Basically playing in 2 days means basically as you are recovering from the last game you are forced to play again. I think there was someone saying there was a study that there should be 5 days between games. No one is gonna play the same team 2 games running with 2 fixtures in 3 days.
posted on 12/5/21
That is why the festive period usually is designed for teams who have the best squad.
posted on 12/5/21
RAP
Your article has been Hafi’d
posted on 13/5/21
Normally I eye roll when the big teams moan about scheduling, but I agree this time it is ridiculous. 3 games with no recovery period inbetween is too much.
posted on 13/5/21
What people like Trevor Sinclair fail to realise is that if we fielded our strongest 11 in all 3 games, their level of fitness would dramatically decline in the 2nd and then even more so in the 3rd game.
Doesn't suit his agenda though
posted on 13/5/21
Trevor Sinclair blames Man Utd for this schedule. Its like someone saying to Trevor you are to blame for your house being damaged and burgled and trespassed on. The cheek he has to say we should have 6 points deducted for something out of the clubs hands.
Our players were ready for the game but protesters caused it to get stopped. Good job the title was all but gone by then as it would have felt even more annoying if it was closer and this happened.
posted on 13/5/21
comment by Pride of the North (U6803)
posted 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
What people like Trevor Sinclair fail to realise is that if we fielded our strongest 11 in all 3 games, their level of fitness would dramatically decline in the 2nd and then even more so in the 3rd game.
Doesn't suit his agenda though
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Reason managers get upset about it is they have sports scientists providing hard evidence of the consequences to players fitness and injuries it has. Yes theyre top athletes and squads are big enough to rotate but hardly an excuse to run them into the ground disregarding their wellbeing and theres consequences for fielding weakened teams who havent played together or much football at all.
Read an article from van basten Former Netherlands striker Marco van Basten says he should have retired earlier and his career "was not worth" the pain he has suffered from his injuries.
Yet now its still acceptable to practically force teams to play them with little recovery time when theres evidence injuries increase astronomically from it.and the reason? Tv companies and $$$ nothing else.
posted on 13/5/21
So if I translate this correctly. Klopp is moaning.
posted on 13/5/21
comment by Chester Chesterton III (U1308)
posted 19 minutes ago
So if I translate this correctly. Klopp is moaning.
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Which you haven’t. No surprise there though.