Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp has called the Premier League schedule during the Christmas period a "crime" for some teams who are forced to play two games within 48 hours.
The champions, who won the Club World Cup victory over Brazil's Flamingo last Saturday, are guest of second-placed Leicester on Thursday before hosting Wolverhampton on Sunday, but some other teams, including Manchester City, were not so fortunate.
The defending champ will go out to Wolverhampton tomorrow, Friday, before hosting Sheffield United on Sunday, which made coach Pep Guardiola send his "thanks" to the League because of the crowded schedule.
Klopp told British media: "It is not good at all ... There is no reason why some teams did not get more than 48 hours between two league games .. There is no problem for any coach to play the day after Christmas, but playing on 26 and then 28 crimes. ".
Brighton, Everton, Hatford and Manchester United teams play twice within 48 hours.
"I understand everyone who talks about this should not happen ... they do not complain ... they talk ... we can say what we want but no one listens ... the world of sports does not give you any solutions to deal with this," Klopp said.
"The body needs a certain time to regain its efficiency. But we totally neglect it."
Liverpool will seek to increase the ten-point difference from Leicester while its host hopes to return to victories after its unbeaten record ended in nine consecutive games when it lost to Manchester City last Saturday.