When asked about Liverpool’s track record in 12.30 p.m. kickoffs, Jurgen Klopp cut quite the irate figure, calling the time slot “a joke.”
It is well known how the Liverpool manager feels about 12.30 p.m. kickoffs that occur right after international breaks or following nighttime midweek games.
He has been vocal in the past and still is, but he came off as quite prickly when asked about Liverpool’s recent record on a Saturday afternoon after the club had gone winless in its previous six games.
In response to the question, Klopp asked in his press conference, “Are you serious with that? “What do you mean what is the difference when you play 30 hours ago in Bolivia?
If it’s a typical week, it won’t be an issue because we’ve always indicated that 12.30 is flexible. “The absence of recovery time is the only issue.”
Just over 24 hours before kickoff at Wolves, Klopp still had not seen any of his South American team due to their delayed arrival in Merseyside from international duty.
The manager’s displeasure is reasonable given that with a later kick-off, there would be more time for recovery and preparation.
And even though he is aware that his remarks on the subject would once more be covered by the media, he proceeded to raise important concerns about the calendar, which Liverpool will have to traverse once more after the October break.
Up until March, we will take four international breaks, two of which have already begun at 12.30 p.m., according to Klopp. “If I say anything about it, everyone begins whining once more, yuck.
It’s a joke. We have players in South America; I haven’t yet seen them, but we play in a day. Like it is, it is.
“We will never be able to change that; we cannot. Regardless of who we speak with, the TV station’s name is definitely different, yet that clearly makes no difference at all.
“They simply could care less about that,”
Although he is correct that the media will perceive him as whining, the manager did not need to become so agitated by the question. He consistently brings up crucial points.
Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez will probably all start from the bench when Liverpool plays Wolves due to the date of the kickoff.
