Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp compares match congestion response to climate change

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has compared match congestion to climate change, saying it is an issue football’s leaders have failed to act on.

Klopp said: “When we start talking about it, I get really angry.

“It’s like the climate. We all know we have to change, but people say ‘what should we do?’. I’m in it too, there’s no doubt about it.”

The World Cup will be played from 21 November to 18 December and no Premier League matches will be played between 13 November and 25 December.

“The problem is the players playing at the World Cup. It’s just not OK,” Klopp said.

“If you get to the semi-final then you’re already pretty busy and then the rest starts a week later.

“My problem is that while everyone knows it’s not right, no one talks about it often enough to change it. Something has to change.”

The UK has seen record temperatures in July, which top scientists say would be “almost impossible” without anthropogenic climate change.

Klopp has previously spoken out about the demands placed on players and urged FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League and the Football Association to discuss the issue.

“There should be a meeting where everyone sits together and the only issue should be the most important part of this game – the players. That hasn’t happened yet,” he said.

“This World Cup is happening at the wrong time for the wrong reasons, but everything is good.”

Liverpool will open their Premier League campaign against Fulham at 12:30 BST on Saturday.

Without striker Diogo Yota, centre-back Ibrahima Konate, midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and left-back Costa Csimica for the match through injury, while midfielder Naby Keita is a doubt.

“We have a lot of injuries, but at the moment nothing has changed [with the transfer market]Klopp said.

“The transfer window is still open, but the plans are not going in that direction.”