Jurgen Klopp takes aim at the Premier League and TV broadcasters

Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the Premier League and TV broadcasters and claims that it is only clubs who are interested in protecting their star players.

The Liverpool manager aired his concerns ahead of the upcoming international break, which will see his players flying all over the world before returning to a packed fixture schedule.

He said: ‘I don’t want to sound disrespectful as we don’t know what other countries are doing at the moment. 

Jurgen Klopp took aim at the Premier League and TV broadcasters in his press-conference

He said: ‘They don’t care if our players play in Peru on Wednesday night, they say they can play again on Saturday!

‘But you want your family around you at times like this, and football team is the same. I am slightly concerned. It’s difficult to get in contact with all FAs over the world

‘It’s pretty often you are pretty alone in these moments.  

‘We send players away, The Premier League and TV broadcasters gave us a challenge, because they don’t care if our players play in Peru on a Wednesday night, they say they can then play again on Saturday. 

‘In these moments, clubs we are alone. I really think, here in their own country, Premier League and broadcasters don’t care. You have to make sure you brings players home in quickest and most safe way. This is the situation we are in.’

Striker Roberto Firmino has been called up for selection by Brazil, with the Selecao facing a double-header of World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.

Their clash with Peru takes place at 1am BST on Wednesday October 10 – Tuesday night in South America – with Liverpool set to face Everton in the Merseyside derby that weekend. It is currently pencilled in for a 3pm kick-off, but that is likely to change for TV broadcasting. 

Roberto Firmino, pictured in action for Brazil against Peru in Los Angeles in September 2019

Mohamed Salah is one of the few Liverpool players who will remain on Merseyside

Klopp though was more positive about captain Jordan Henderson’s England call-up, calling it a ‘win-win’ situation. 

The midfielder has not played since coming off at half-time of the victory at Chelsea on September 20 with a knee injury but has been called up for matches against Wales, Belgium and Denmark.

He returned to individual training this week and will rejoin the squad for parts of the sessions on Friday and Saturday and although that may not be enough for him to be considered for Aston Villa on Sunday the international break will afford him time to get match fit.

Jordan Henderson (left) has been called up for England duty despite a muscle injury

‘He will be part of parts of training today,’ said Klopp.

‘He has absolutely no muscle issues, he’s not injured any more. Now we have to make sure he can make the next step. What that means for the weekend, I don’t know.

‘I was in close contact with Gareth Southgate and it is clear that he will use the time with national team for getting match fit.’