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Liverpool FC Supporters Club

Jurgen Klopp Slams Fixture Schedulers as Startling Early Kick-off Stats Plague Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp, the charismatic manager of Liverpool FC, is no stranger to expressing his displeasure with the Premier League’s fixture scheduling. He’s once again taken aim at the organizers, describing the current schedule as nothing short of a “joke.”

Klopp’s concerns primarily revolve around player welfare and recovery time, particularly when his team is tasked with quick turnarounds after midweek matches or international duty. His frustration reached new heights when Liverpool’s fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers was slated for a lunchtime kick-off on a Saturday.

What stoked Klopp’s ire even further was a stark reminder of Liverpool’s rather dismal performance in 12:30 kick-offs last season, which included three draws and three losses. When questioned about whether the timing of the matches was the issue rather than recovery time, Klopp’s irritation was palpable as he retorted, “Are you serious with that question? What do you think is the difference when you play 30 hours away?”

“12:30 is not a problem if you have a week to prepare. The only problem is the lack of recovery time,” Klopp emphasized. He went on to highlight a frustrating reality for Liverpool and many other top clubs, saying, “We have four international breaks until March. Two of them we have the early kick-off.”

Klopp’s frustration is understandable, considering the grueling schedule that his players must endure. “We have players in South America I haven’t seen yet. In 24 hours, we play. But this is like it is, we cannot change that, they will never change that, whoever we talk to,” Klopp lamented. His cynicism extended to the television broadcasters as well: “Now the TV channel has a different name, but that doesn’t change anything at all. They just don’t give a ‘bleep’ about that.”

Klopp’s candid remarks have ignited a fresh debate on the fairness of fixture scheduling in the Premier League. He challenged the public to “make your own opinion about it, maybe this time without a source.”

The frustration surrounding Liverpool’s early kick-off matches is backed by some alarming statistics. Last season, Liverpool struggled to find their form in such games, with a conversion rate of just 3.6% from 83 shots, according to Opta data.

It’s worth noting that Liverpool’s predicament isn’t unique, as Klopp pointed out. They played at 12:30 on Saturday more frequently than any other top-flight team, highlighting the broader issue of scheduling fairness in the Premier League. Klopp’s outspoken criticism is a reminder that the debate over fixture scheduling and player welfare continues to be a hot topic in English football.