Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has labelled Manchester City’s fixture schedule as a “crime” with Pep Guardiola’s side expected to play two games within 48 hours.
The Citizens face Wolves this evening before playng Sheffield United at home on Sunday. Fans on Twitter have thanked Klopp for backing up his rival, but they are still furious that the Premier League have put them in this situation:
One way to destroy the players. Ridiculous….
— J@vi (@jdiazm11) December 26, 2019
Thanks Jurgen…decent of him. Same applies to Wolves also, who play Liverpool on the 29th…
— carole (@MoonbeamMcfc) December 26, 2019
It’s wrong for any team to play with in 2 games within 3 days,it needs to be sorted even if it makes the season itself longer,maybe the season ends later in may ?♂️
— Nathan Wallace (@N4th4nWW) December 26, 2019
He might being saying it, but laughing inside, cos they are being nurse maided over Xmas & then we play before them again. How does that work
— Carlfinney14 (@carlfinney14) December 26, 2019
Thanks klopp
— Luke St Leger (@luke_mancity) December 25, 2019
Well said Jurgen.
— condemnedmale (@condemnedmale) December 26, 2019
Makes no sense at all this especially as City & Wolves play 2 days later ??♂️
— Bungle The Blue (@DJDMonksey30) December 26, 2019
City do have the resources to put out two different teams that would be competitive, but that is not the point. Players should not be asked to play twice in such a short period of time.
As Klopp also mentioned, the human body needs time to recover, and it isn’t physically possible to play for 90 minutes at 100% in two matches over three days.
It will, of course, damage City’s chances of staying in touch with Liverpool at the top of the table, but with TV rights deals taking precedence, it appears such fixture pile-ups could well be repeated in the future.
