Jurgen Klopp sticks the boot into TNT Sports over the ‘crime’ of Liverpool’s ‘insane’ fixture scheduling, joking he was ‘waiting for Amnesty’ to get involved… and vows never to watch them again!

Jurgen Klopp has said that English football is destroying its own chances of progressing far ahead in European competition by playing too many games – and the German has asked TNT Sports to remove him from their subscriber list!

The Liverpool boss joked that the overcrowded football calendar is a crime worthy of an Amnesty International intervention, and took a swipe at the broadcaster for often placing his team straight after a European match on a Saturday afternoon.

Klopp was in good form at his usual press conference on Friday and in a relaxed atmosphere with just three games to go before he can call time on his glorious nine years at Anfield. But that didn’t stop him from delivering a tongue-in-cheek rant about the match pile-up.

“The boys had a few days off this week, which was super important and we were able to train well again, which we are not used to,” Klopp said. ‘We stumble from one -1 (the day before a match) to another. I said it from day one: training helps

‘Overall it’s a very interesting topic as Aston Villa lost 4-2 last night. If they go out, it would mean no English team is in a European final. You all stay here, you all talk about it. If you don’t lower the intensity for the players…

The Reds have had a difficult period, playing eight times in 23 days

‘If you think all English teams underperformed, there were certainly moments: us against Atalanta and things like that.

‘But the Premier League is the best league in the world. It’s not overrated, the players are overworked. Someone has to help the people.

‘You cancel one game (FA Cup replays), you give the top teams three more Champions League games. Everyone has a reason to say, “You can’t stop these games, they’re important!” But you can’t always sort it.

‘I recently had a discussion with colleagues from my favorite TV channel that I will absolutely never watch again, TNT. And people always say, “They’re paying you! They give money for football.” It’s not like that, it’s the other way around: football pays them.

Klopp said he expected human rights group Amnesty International to intervene in Liverpool’s test match pile-up

The German joked that TNT “might take me off their subscriber list” after he trashed them

‘They broadcast and deliver it, but it’s not like TNT or Sky are doing really well and can pay you all. You have to become a partner of football again and not just the pincher. That’s just a little advice from an old man on the way out.

‘I’m going to watch a lot of football, but not all of it. People can survive without competitions every now and then. Manchester City and Arsenal were knocked out in the quarter-finals, it’s just not a reflection of quality. We are out in the quarter-finals. Yes, other countries have good teams, that’s not the point; it’s a sign.

‘We have to change our approach. That’s how it is. When I talk about it, they think it’s because of our situation, if we lost the last game. But it is a common problem.

‘Now it has nothing to do with our schedule. They dare to give 12:30 on Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday – it’s a crime!

Klopp infamously went to war with TNT Sports – and then BT Sport – in 2020, blaming them for causing an injury to James Milner

‘I was waiting for Amnesty International to go to them. I would love to be part of that meeting when someone says, “Liverpool 12.30” and the whole room goes into an uproar. [laughter]. I would like to be there. The fastest turnaround in the world… Liverpool!

‘They say you have to fight more and go for it. It’s absolutely insane. But they are still happy. They like subscribers, you can take me off that list. If you’re ever looking for an expert, I speak English and could do that, but… what was the question anyway?’

Klopp has famously scrutinized broadcasters in the past over busy schedules and was known to rage at TNT – then called BT Sport – in 2020, blaming them for an injury to James Milner.

In a dazzling verbal joust with presenter Des Kelly, Klopp told him: ‘Well, you work for them. I don’t know how many times I have to say it, but you choose the kick-off at 12:30.

Klopp insisted there was ‘no problem’ between himself and Mo Salah, despite an argument between the two during their 2-2 draw against West Ham

‘Between now and December there is one more Wednesday, Saturday. These are difficult times. I’m just telling it like it is. Wednesday to Saturday 12.30 pm is really dangerous.’

Meanwhile, Klopp dismissed rumors of a feud with Mohamed Salah and said any disagreement with the Egyptian striker has been quickly resolved. “Completely resolved,” added the manager, who had a heated exchange with Salah at West Ham last Saturday.

‘It is not a problem. We have known each other for a long time and respect each other. We have the right to handle these matters completely independently. It’s a non-story.’ Salah is set to return to action this weekend, but Virgil van Dijk is doubtful due to a minor injury.