Jurgen Klopp jokes and calls for Amnesty International check into broadcasters

Jurgen Klopp has once again taken shots at the broadcasters for selecting Liverpool to play a 12:30 kick off on Saturday. He believes that the players are not getting enough rest because of the tight schedule and they forced to cut short training sessions.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of the Tottenham clash, Klopp stated that it was a crime to make Liverpool play the Saturday early kick-off after a Wednesday night clash. He said:

“They dare to give Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday 12.30 – it’s a crime. I had a discussion the other day with colleagues from my favourite TV channel which I will definitely never watch again, TNT. And people always say, ‘They pay you! They give money for football’. It’s not that, it’s the other way around, football pays them.”

He wants the broadcasters to think about their decisions and become partners in football and not enemies. Klopp said:

“They broadcast and deliver it but it’s not like TNT or Sky is doing really well and can pay all of you. You have to become a partner of football again and not just the squeezer. That’s just a little advice from an old man on the way out. I will watch a lot of football but not all – people can survive without matches from time to time. Manchester City and Arsenal are 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, it’s not about that – it’s a sign. We have to change our approach. That’s how it is. When I speak about it they think it’s because of our situation, if we lost the last game. But it’s a general problem. Nothing to do with our schedule now.”

The Liverpool manager joked that he wanted Amnesty International to check in as the broadcasters are committing a human rights violation. He said: 

“I was waiting for Amnesty International to go to them. I would like to be part of that meeting when someone says, ‘Liverpool 12.30’ and the whole room bursts into [laughter]. I would like to be there. The quickest turnaround in the whole 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 are ever looking for a pundit, I speak English and could do it, but…”

Liverpool need a win to stay in the Premier League title race. A loss would make it impossible for them if Arsenal or Manchester City win their game.

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