‘We all know we have to change but people are like ‘what do we have to do?”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has compared fixture congestion to climate change, claiming that it’s an issue football’s leaders have not yet acted upon.
The German coach has previously criticised the football schedule, urging FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League and the Football Association to discuss the issue.
Given that this Premier League campaign will include a winter break in order to accommodate the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Klopp insisted that ‘something has to change’.
“The problem is the players that play the World Cup. It’s just not OK,” said Klopp.
“If you reach the semi-final then you are already quite busy and then the rest starts a week later.
“My problem is that as much as everyone knows that it is not right, nobody talks often enough about it that it will be changed. Something has to change.”
Klopp compares fixture congestion to climate change
The former Borussia Dortmund manager also claimed that fixture congestion is similar to climate change. The UK experienced record temperatures in July and leading scientists suggested it would have been “almost impossible” without human-induced climate change.
Klopp said: “When we start talking about it I really get angry. It is like with the climate. We all know we have to change but people are like ‘what do we have to do?’ I’m in that as well, no doubt about that.
“There must be one meeting where they all sit together and the only subject should be the most important part of this game – the players. That didn’t happen yet,” he added.
“This World Cup happens at the wrong moment for the wrong reasons, but everything is fine.”
"I really get angry, with you as well… everybody knows it's not right… it's like with the climate; we all know we have to change…"
📺 Jurgen Klopp on the World Cup – and all football organisations' use of elite players. pic.twitter.com/qp4bTLtR0O
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) August 5, 2022
The World Cup takes place from November 21 to December 18 in Qatar, with no Premier League matches being played between November 13 and December 25.
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Fulham at 12:30 on Saturday.
Related links:
- Andros Townsend claims ‘moaning’ Jurgen Klopp has ‘got his way again’
- Jurgen Klopp told to ‘get on with it’ after slamming the congested fixture schedule
- Jurgen Klopp explains why he broke his own rule to sign Darwin Núñez
