Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has backed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after he claimed Manchester United were ‘set up to fail’ due to the Premier League’s fixture congestion.
The Red Devils travelled to Turkey to face Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday night, before playing Everton in the 12:30 kick-off on Saturday.
After Manchester United’s 3-1 victory at Goodison Park, a furious Solskjaer said: ‘The kick-off time set us up to fail. ‘We have been to Turkey, played loads of games this season already, we got back Thursday morning and we are playing Saturday lunchtime, it’s an absolute shambles.’
Responding to Solskjaer’s comments, Klopp said no club should have that short a turnaround and said he had contacted the Premier League to express his concerns.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with League rivals Manchester City, Klopp said: ‘I have spoken to the Premier League. No team on a Wednesday night should have the 12:30 kick-off on Saturday.
‘Okay Sunday no problem, not the 12:30 because you wake up and play football. This is the recovery phase. Premier League has to change, Sky, BT everyone has to talk to each other.
‘We had after the triple header in the international break we played 12:30. The boys played Wednesday night in Peru, that is not possible.’
Klopp offered his backing to Solskjaer after the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Mohamed Salah had given Liverpool the lead at the Etihad with an early penalty but Gabriel Jesus earned City a point in the game midway through the first half.
Klopp added: ‘It was an interesting game – a lot of tactical stuff on the pitch. ‘Both teams played with an incredible energy level to close the other team down and use the few opportunities. I thought it was a top, top, top game.
‘The plan is always to start fast, stay fast and finish fast – but that is not always possible. City are a top team.
‘I think it is the game with the lowest number of chances for City so far when we have played them – clear-cut chances. ‘They didn’t have many and that is a proper compliment for the boys.’
