London (AFP)
Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp rose again to the frenzied pace in football on Friday, after the traditional "boxing day" of the English Championship and while Guinean Naby Keita was added to the list of the injured in its workforce.
"How many matches on Boxing Day?" Asked the German technician to the press. "There are probably a few individuals who have watched them all live, but I do not think it is good for their relationship life," he then quipped.
"It’s not good for mine already, and I’m watching a lot of football," added Klopp.
"These people are probably saying they want to get their money's worth," continued the coach of the reigning European champions. "I don't see things like that. Like everything in life, quality must take precedence over quantity."
Leading the Premier League, and just back from the Club World Cup, his team kept up the pace by beating Sheffield United (2-0) on Wednesday. But Keita's injury was added to those of Matip, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho, already in the infirmary.
Liverpool host Everton on Sunday in the FA Cup.
Other teams are paying an even heavier price, such as Tottenham, who also lost on New Years its iconic striker Harry Kane, injured in a thigh in Southampton and whose absence is likely to be long.
"I have already said what I had to say to UEFA personally, I have sent messages to Fifa, where I do not know anyone, in interviews, and I do not think that the Premier League, the FA (English federation) or the League (English) can doubt what I think, "said the coach of the" Reds ", known for his frankness.
"I'm not doing this for myself, but because I think someone has to speak up to defend the players," said Klopp.
The German calls for a round table bringing together all the parties. "The solution is to get all these people together and try to get the players to think about it for once, and if you want me to be there, you can count on me," he said. "Today, the people who take part in the negotiations are people who are not from the world of football."
© 2020 AFP