Jurgen Klopp has been told by former Liverpool star, Steve Nicol, to stop complaining after the German once again voiced his concerns over fixture congestion.
This season, the Reds have shocked the world by reaching the final of every cup competition they’re in while taking the Premier League title race to the very final day of the season.
It means that when the season is done, Liverpool will have fought tooth and nail in 63 games, including FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League finals.
The fatigue of players at an elite level playing so many games is immense and Fabinho has admitted that Liverpool are tired after what has been a wonderful season.
Following the crucial 2-1 win over Southampton, Klopp voiced his concerns over fixture scheduling again with the Premier League forcing them to play three days after an FA Cup final which went to extra time and penalties.
The boss said: “The 30 extra minutes at Wembley made a big difference.”
What Klopp’s critics don’t seem to understand is that when Klopp complains about fixture scheduling and the danger it poses to his players, he’s campaigning for all teams in the Premier League – not just Liverpool.
The FA, EFL, the Premier League and UEFA all need to do more to ensure footballers are taken care of instead of using them like a sponge to wring out as many games as possible.
Steve Nicol, who seems to damage his legacy every time he speaks on Liverpool, doesn’t seem to see the bigger picture and has once again missed the point with his latest comments to ESPN.
Steve Nicol: “Jurgen, your next job, take the Southampton job and then you won't have to worry about complaining about fixtures.
“Stop complaining. I'll tell you what, how many fans around the country, around Europe, would love to have the problem that he's got?”
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) May 19, 2022
He said: “Jurgen, your next job, take the Southampton job and then you won’t have to worry about complaining about fixtures.
“Come on. Does he really want to turn round and ask the FA to help Liverpool? You’d hear every other man and his dog complaining that they’re going out of their way.
“Look, if you’re as good as they are and as successful as they are, you’re going to have a heavy schedule.
So I find it a little bit… he’s saying nothing that successful teams’ managers have not been saying since I was playing in the 80s.“
“It was the exact same in the 80s. You’re not a special case because you do well, you shouldn’t expect anybody to look after you, so I don’t know why you go complaining.
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“And he didn’t have to. Stop complaining. I’ll tell you what, how many fans around the country, around Europe, would love to have the problem that he’s got? So, come on, don’t complain about it.”
While Nicol says modern football is “the exact same [as it was] in the 80s”, he’s completely wrong.
The game is transformed by sports science and world-class experts that reveal the risks posed to players by playing twice a week every week for months.
Liverpool, who have industry-leading experts keeping their stars fit, have still been struck by overuse injuries to the likes of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho in recent weeks.
All three have missed games recently with a Champions League final against Real Madrid scheduled for a week after the final day of the Premier League season when previous years saw a fortnight provided for rest, recovery and preparation.
As the biggest spectacle in the annual football calendar, coaches and players should be given the time required to ensure they are ready to do battle for the most prestigious club trophy on the planet.
