Jurgen Klopp has hit out at UEFA for not allowing Liverpool to play their penultimate Premier League game with Southampton on the same night as the Europa League final – with the Reds instead forced to play three days after their gruelling FA Cup triumph.
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Liverpool’s win at Wembley left them halfway towards completing an unprecedented quadruple, with the Premier League and Champions League trophies still up for grabs.
However, with such a quick turnaround from playing 120 minutes on Saturday to playing Southampton at St Mary’s on Tuesday leaves Klopp with a side depleted of energy and facing an almighty battle to win all four trophies this season.
Jurgen Klopp bemoaned Liverpool’s packed fixture schedule after his side’s FA Cup triumph
Reds face Saints in their penultimate league game of the season – days after their FA Cup final
And the decision to not allow Liverpool extra days to recover has left a disgruntled Klopp to question why it is being made so difficult for his side.
When discussing Liverpool’s trip to the south coast to face the Saints in his Monday press conference, Klopp said: ‘[We played] 120 minutes on Saturday, then we play Tuesday. Come on.
‘We could have played Wednesday but can’t because of the Europa League final, right?
‘Ahhh, UEFA, my friends! We could have played Thursday?! I have to sit here and say this. Nobody thinks about it apart from me.’
Liverpool came out on top in the FA Cup final with Chelsea, with the sides only being separated by penalties after 120 gruelling minutes at Wembley
It’s another trophy added to Liverpool’s cabinet but now they turn their attentions to St Mary’s
Liverpool will now play every possible game this season after Klopp’s men won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, while also managing to book their spot in the Champions League final.
And the German boss insists Southampton have a huge advantage going into Tuesday night’s game, given they’ve had over a week to rest and prepare for the tie.
‘This is game 60. When did Southampton have their last game? 10-12 days?’ Klopp added.
‘They might lack rhythm but we lose that advantage if we make changes. They are completely fresh.
‘Last home game, what would you do?’
And Klopp insists they were denied the chance to face Southampton on Wednesday due to it clashing with the Europa League final in Seville taking place on the same night
Klopp also believes that Manchester City will pip them to the Premier League title once again, given Pep Guardiola’s men have a four-point lead having played a game more.
And while City did drop two points in drawing 2-2 at West Ham on Sunday, Klopp – whose side host Wolves on the last day – is not expecting Pep Guardiola’s side to slip up again, with the reigning Premier League champions facing Aston Villa at home in their final match.
The German said: ‘I don’t know the last time City dropped points two games in a row and Villa have to play midweek. I don’t expect City to drop points there.’