NOBODY WINS IF YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE KIDS
Klopp slams ’crazy’ scenario that will see arch-rivals play three times in only five days
2DAVID MADDOCK JURGEN KLOPP has just one word for it: “Crazy.”
Liverpool’s whole season, and their hopes and ambitions for the next, come down to a baffling and congested fixture list that sees Manchester United play three games in five days, then have four days off. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has no option but to field his kids in one of those games, which will upset one of his rivals. Klopp has no doubt it will be him. It is what he would do of course. United play Leicester tomorrow night, just over 48 hours after yesterday’s trip to Villa.
They then face Liverpool on Thursday, a fixture where both sides always pick their best line-ups.
Klopp said: “If Man United is doing it like that, we can’t change it. I expect a strong team against us
– and what they do in other games . . we obviously have no influence.”
It is a twist of fate that Liverpool are now chasing Leicester for the final Champions League spot, and the Anfield boss says an insane season has reached an almost inevitable conclusion.
Liverpool must play their final four games in the space of 10 days, but after a victory over Southampton that hinted at a return of the real Redsa, Klopp insisted things are at least now clear, if not simple.
“Winning four games is pretty much the only chance we have, so that’s what we should try,” he said.
“If we win all four it could be enough, so that is what we have to do.
“Everybody is 100 percent sure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer respects the Premier League 100 per cent, but the situation is now like it is – and I really think it’s crazy what we did with that.
“I know there were not proper solutions, but I think there could be a better situation than that, I am pretty sure. United have three games in five days but then a weekend off.
“So it looks like there could have been a window where we could have done something slightly different. But it is a decision and I understand he (Ole) doesn’t like that, definitely.”
Klopp is not carping, more accepting that fate, which has intervened so cruelly on the injury front for Liverpool this season, has one twist for his side.
At least they will go into the United game with some momentum after beating Southampton, Sadio Mane scoring his first home goal this year and Thiago his first for Liverpool (below).
With both of them at last showing the sort of form that made them world class, Liverpool look more like themselves, aided by a strong display from another new, promising, centre-half pairing of Nat Phillips and youngster Rhys Williams.
It makes for a mouth-watering week, where the visit to Old Trafford at least means something. The subtext of United stopping their biggest rivals getting the huge benefit of Champions League money is a huge one.
Klopp has no qualms about it. “Man United has only good players. Midfield, wow. Up front, all good players. The only thing we can do now is keep winning, and that’s historically not easy (at Old Trafford) – but we will give it a try.” final