IT’S COCONUTS TO WASTE TIME MOANING OVER FIXTURE LIST

Pep: If you don’t like it, go to the Maldives

PEP GUARDIOLA says Jurgen Klopp is wasting his time moaning about fixture scheduling – and said choosing an easy life under the coconuts in the Maldives is the only solution.

Liverpool tried to get today’s lunchtime kick-off at Newcastle moved, after they were in Champions League semi-final action against Villarreal on Wednesday.

Klopp accused the Premier League and BT Sport of sabotaging their quest for the Quadruple with today’s 12.30pm kick-off at St James’ Park.

But Guardiola said title rival Klopp will achieve nothing with his rant and joked the only solution is to move 5,500 miles to the idyllic Indian Ocean destination – a favourite retreat of the City boss.

“Always I sympathise with the concerns of Liverpool,” said Guardiola, his tongue firmly in cheek.

“How many times have we discussed what’s happened to us and I’ve said ‘I don’t want to talk about that?’ Nothing is going to change. It’s not going to change because the broadcasters are thinking about what they have to do to get more viewers.

“If I’m not satisfied, I go home and don’t be manager of Manchester City.

“I go to another league in the Maldives, the Maldives league, and play one game a week and I’m so comfortable under the coconuts.

“It would be so perfect, but it’s not the case. You’re playing at 12.30? I’m sorry Liverpool, but I’m not involved with that.

“Of course I understand it, but what can I say? We’re not going to solve the problem.

“I’ve said many times, Sir Alex Ferguson was the most important icon in the history of English football and he was complaining about it when he was a teenager.

“Nothing is going to change, so don’t ask me. Go to the Premier League, the broadcasters and ask the reason why. We played in Madrid against Atletico and three days later we played at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

“Chelsea played Tuesday and could have played on Saturday, but they played on Sunday. Do you think they think about that?

“No, because next Tuesday, Liverpool play against Manchester United. Everyone has their own business to defend. So we adapt.

“If they say play Saturday, we play Saturday. If they say play Tuesday, we play Tuesday. Thursday? We’re going to play Thursday. Whatever they want, no problem.”

City will be two points behind Liverpool by the time they kick off at Leeds tonight, if Klopp’s side win at Newcastle.

Despite the pressure on his City players to close out the title race, Guardiola said they will not choke, insisting they know what they must do.

“Sometimes it looks like only the managers know what we’re playing for, but the players know better than me,” said Guardiola.

“What I want in this period is to arrive as fresh as possible in our minds, souls and legs. This is the most important thing.

“Train today, go home with the family, good lunch, good dinner. Then go to Leeds and try to win. They’ve been here many times. These players, I know them.”