MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 02:28:46| >> :120:28158:28158:

Klopp calls for radical rethink of festive fixture scheduling

Klopp calls for radical rethink of festive fixture scheduling
© Reuters
A hectic festive Premier League programme which has taken its toll on several sides in terms of the number of injuries they have sustained.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has repeated his calls for a football-wide agreement on fixture scheduling to prevent players being over-worked.

And he believes coaches and "football people" should be included in the discussion with international and national governing bodies and television companies to ensure a proper solution can be found.

Klopp was speaking after the culmination of a hectic festive Premier League programme which has taken its toll on several sides in terms of the number of injuries they have sustained and the impact on results.

Jurgen Klopp believes players need protecting
Jurgen Klopp believes players need protecting (Tim Goode/PA)

"I told what I had to say to UEFA personally, I told FIFA sometimes in interviews because I don't know anyone there and I don't think the Premier League, FA or Football League are in any doubt of my opinion," he said.

"I just do that not because of me but because I think someone has to speak for the players.

"The boys last night (in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United) ran 13 kilometres – 13 kilometres to win a Premier League game – and I cannot tell them 'Come on, try to run 11km so you will be fine for the next game'.

"But the schedule is the schedule. If you have a good friend and you see him twice a year, brilliant. Best time of your life.

Aston Villa's Wesley is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering am injury against Burnley
Aston Villa's Wesley is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering am injury against Burnley (Anthony Devlin/PA)

"If you see him every day you think after five days 'What the heck?'.

"But what we do is throw football at the people. How many games were on Boxing Day? There were maybe some men, probably, who watched all of them live.

"I don't think that's good for their relationship. It's not good for mine and I already watch a lot of football.

"People say 'Yeah, we only get the money we get because of the number of games'. I don't see that. Like always in life it is about quality not quantity.

"Yes, without the money it doesn't work but without the players it doesn't work as well."

Klopp wants all parties to get together and come up with a sustainable plan. He even volunteered to attend – if he had the time.

"The solution is to bring all these people together and try to think one time in all these negotiations about the players," he added.

Fabian Schar was one of a string of Newcastle players injured over the festive period
Fabian Schar was one of a string of Newcastle players injured over the festive period (Owen Humphreys/PA)

"Other people are sitting there and they are not football people. We need to talk with football people, I think there is a solution possible.

"And no-one will miss a game and think 'Oh, why cannot I watch a football game today?'. There will be enough football, we accept that 100 per cent.

"We love this game but in the end we have to make sure that we can all come through and in the end the best team wins and not the most lucky with injuries.

"Just start talking and I am pretty sure there is a solution possible. And if you need me in the discussion I am pretty much there – if I can find time in between the games!"

ID:384923: cacheID:384923:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8889:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before the match on December 7, 2019
Read Next:
Jurgen Klopp insists opponent will not influence team selection for derby
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!