Jurgen Klopp wants Arsenal semi-final to be one game, not two

Klopp has echoed Jordan Henderson's concerns about player welfare

Jurgen Klopp has said he would prefer Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final with Arsenal to be one game instead of being played over two legs. Liverpool came from 3-1 down to defeat Leicester City on penalties on Wednesday night, setting up a semi-final against the Gunners. Klopp had made ten changes for the game as he tries to manage his squad through a congested period of fixtures which has been complicated by a spate of Covid outbreaks across English football. "I think it would be better with one game absolutely, but obviously what I say is not too important," Klopp said after full-time at Anfield.

"If there are two games, then we will play two games. But it would be helpful if there was only one, true.

"If the draw has us at Arsenal, I'm fine with that - we play there and see who is better and go for it."

Klopp also said that managers were due to hold talks with the Premier League on Thursday about Covid-related issues.

His concerns about fixture pile-up and the impact that might have on players echo those of his captain, Jordan Henderson, who said last week that he felt player welfare was not taken seriously by the game's authorities.

"I don't just speak about player welfare this year, I have been speaking about it for six years or maybe longer," Klopp added.

"If the things I say would help more, I would say it much more often. But it doesn't help.

"The only thing I do with these messages is I create headlines. They never arrive at the right places.

"Tomorrow we have a meeting at 4pm but it's with the Premier League and not with the EFL, I'm not sure if they are involved or not.

"I said it before, I would prefer only one semi-final. But I can't see any kind of changes actually."

As things stand, Liverpool and Arsenal will play each other twice in the weeks beginning 3 and 10 January.

Related links:

• Jordan Henderson ‘concerned’ welfare of players isn’t taken seriously
• Former PL official slams ref Paul Tierney for ‘big errors’ in Liverpool-Spurs draw
• Angry Jurgen Klopp confronts referee Paul Tierney after Liverpool’s Spurs draw