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Jurgen Klopp has blasted the Premier League and television companies for scheduling the crucial title clash between Liverpool and Manchester City for Saturday afternoon, immediately after the international break.
The match at the Etihad between the Premier League’s top two starts live on Sky Sports at lunchtime on November 25. For just over 72 hours, players from both sides will be involved in the South American World Cup qualifiers, including Brazil against Argentina, more than six thousand miles away.
Ederson, Alisson, Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez will be among those affected.
“How can you put such a match on Saturday at 12.30 pm?” Klopp grumbled.
‘To be honest, the people who make the decisions can’t feel football. It’s just not possible. This is the time when the world pays the most to see a football match.
Jurgen Klopp has reignited the early kick-off ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Man City
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“And by the way, the players all come back on the same plane, all the South American players, picking them up from different countries.”
Klopp believes such decisions will ultimately damage the Premier League product as tired players will be unable to give their best for one of the most important games of the season.
“You have to fight your way through the toughest competition in the world and be ready on Thursday, Sunday and Thursday.
‘And if the Premier League has the opportunity to do so, be ready at 12.30 on Saturday!’ he added.
Klopp has often complained about lunch scheduling, including a heated on-pitch debate with journalist Des Kelly in 2020 after conceding a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
He also expressed his frustration in 2022, when the Reds were due to face Newcastle early on Saturday, between both games of their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal.
In any case, Klopp’s team will go into the match against City with confidence. They protected an 18-match unbeaten league run at Anfield by beating Brentford 3-0 with a pair of goals from Mo Salah and one from Diogo Jota.
“The boys responded sensationally well to a bad game in Toulouse,” he said. ‘It’s only November, but it’s very important that we have the same points as other teams.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez will be in South America just 72 years old for the match at the Etihad
“We haven’t played perfect football yet, not even close. But we fought through it in a few moments and it’s all going well.”
On a title challenge, he added: “If we’re still there in March or April, maybe we can start talking,” he said.
Brentford defender Ben Mee, 34, returned for his first start since September after a muscle injury.
‘We were disappointed to concede three goals because it felt like we were in the game for a long time. We created chances in the first half. When you come to Anfield and you get opportunities, you have to take them.’