LIFE’S A BEACH
If you want less LEEDS V 5.30PM, SKY SPORTS stress Jurgen, go to Maldives
PEP GUARDIOLA has told Jurgen Klopp he is wasting his time moaning about fixture scheduling, saying if he does not want the pressure he should head for the Maldives.
Klopp and Liverpool were furious after broadcasters put their trip to Newcastle in the lunchtime slot today, less than 72 hours after a 2-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Villarreal onWednesday night.
The Liverpool boss accused BT Sport of trying to sabotage their hunt for an historic Quadruple.
But Guardiola insisted Klopp’s anger would achieve nothing, telling the German that if he wants an easier life he could go and sit among the palm trees on the Indian Ocean retreat.
“How many times have we discussed it?” said Guardiola.
“The broadcasters think about what they have to do. They think about the money not the players so I’m not going to solve it.
“It’s not going to change because the broadcasters are thinking about what they have to do to get more viewers so if I’m not satisfied, I go home and don’t be manager of Manchester City.
“I go to another league, 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. I understand it but what can I say?
“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.
“We played in Madrid against Atletico [earlier this month] and three days later we played in an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. We adapt. If they
It would be comfortable under the coconuts say play Saturday, we play Saturday. If they say play Tuesday, we play Tuesday. Whatever they want, no problem.”
Liverpool’s early start will at least give them the chance to put pressure on City ahead of their clash with Leeds in the 5.30pm teatime kick off.
But with the prospect of defending a 4-3 lead at Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, Guardiola insisted his squad were relishing the pressure.
Asked whether City can handle it, he said: “We have been here many times. With these players, I know them.” Guardiola’s counterpart Jesse Marsch is demanding that Leeds be “annoying” and “pesky” tonight.
Marsch knows how irritating opponents can be for teams competing for the league, from his time with New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg. The roles are reversed for the American at Elland Road and he said: “I’m used to being at the other end of the spectrum, fighting for the title.That’s our job to make the match pesky for City. We need to be annoying and dangerous.”