Jurgen Klopp has launched a full-throated attack on TNT Sports’ meddling in games, calling his team’s recent schedule a “crime worthy of investigation by Amnesty International”.
Klopp is a long-time critic of the 12.30pm kick-off time on Saturdays, especially for teams with UEFA commitments and an overload of midweek games. He claimed that television broadcasters are partly responsible for Failure of English clubs in European competitions this season.
O Liverpool manager was evidently biting his tongue in preparation for the 2-2 draw with West Ham at 12:30pm last weekend, but he let his pre-game briefing slip on Friday.
“Seeing this Aston Villa lost 4-2 last night for example, it would mean that if they were actually eliminated, no English team would be in any kind of European final,” Klopp said.
“I watch a lot of football around the world. The Premier League is the best league in the world. Therefore, it is not overrated. Players are overwhelmed. So easy. You can talk about it until everyone finally realizes it, but someone needs to help people.
“I’m not sure exactly how many more Champions League games we have it, they have it next year. Three? Three more Champions League games and you’re cut out for this, what is this, a League Cup semi-final, the second [leg]. And the discussion you all allow: ‘What is this? Did they interrupt a game?
“The other day I had a discussion with colleagues from our favorite broadcaster that I will definitely not watch again, TNT, and I said that it is always a conversation they have, saying that they pay, they give money to football. It’s not like that. I really don’t see it that way. It’s exactly the opposite. Football pays them. They transmit, they deliver, but it’s not that TNT isn’t doing very well, or Sky or whoever isn’t doing very well.
“You have to be part of football again, not just the juicer. That’s it, it’s a little advice from an old man who is leaving. I will watch a lot of football, but not all of it, because people can survive without games once in a while, definitely.”
‘I was waiting for Amnesty International’
Klopp suggested the Premier League title contenders would have progressed in Europe if not for their demanding schedule.
“We, City and Arsenal are eliminated in the quarter-finals. This is simply not a reflection of quality. It’s just a reflection if we can’t deliver on the day we needed to,” Klopp said.
“Yes, other countries have very good teams, without a doubt, but it is a sign. For years I’ve thought we had four English teams in the quarter-finals.
“You always think when I talk about this it’s because of our last situation. No, it’s a general problem. Nothing to do with our agenda right now. Our schedule is right, it’s good. Can we use this? I don’t know, we’ll see. But for them to dare to give us Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday at 12:30 pm is a crime. In fact, I was hoping that Amnesty International would come to them. Someone sits there and decides this. I would like to meet them. I’d like to be part of that meeting where someone says: ‘Liverpool 12.30pm’, and the whole room bursts into laughter. ‘Again?!’ I would like to be there.
“This morning I received the statistics of the biggest upset in the world. Liverpool FC, yes [laughs]. And we sit there, and I’m the same. I tell him: ‘You have to do more, you have to fight more and you have to move forward’. Worldwide, we have the fastest turnaround among games. This is absolutely insane. But they are still happy and enjoy subscribers. You can take me off that list!
“If you are looking for a specialist [shaking his head].”
Klopp’s comment could be a complication for TNT if they intend to broadcast his final game as Liverpool manager. TNT has the ‘second pick’ of the final round of games, which could make Klopp’s last position attractive if the title race and relegation issues are resolved and Sky picks the clash between champions Manchester City or Arsenal.
