Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp: Xmas Eve fixture 'the worst you can get'

LIVERPOOL -- Jurgen Klopp has urged Premier League broadcasters to think again about scheduling Liverpool's trip to Arsenal for Christmas Eve.

On Thursday, sources told ESPN FC that Liverpool were arguing against the possibility of the fixture, originally set for Dec. 23, being put back 24 hours in order for it to be televised.

Sky SportsĀ  holds the rights to televise Premier League matches in two Sunday slots on each game week during the season, but they have not yet announced which games it will show over the festive period.

While the Merseyside club believe a switch would make it extremely difficult for away supporters to attend the high-profile match, Klopp also feels the number of fixtures Liverpool would play in such a short space of time would affect the quality of the product screened on televisions.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, the Liverpool manager said: "If the supporters want to see a game on Christmas Eve then probably the television broadcaster will find a way to deliver.

"How it was in the last few years: if something not too cool is possible around fixtures then Liverpool is involved.

"In this moment, it would mean that we not only mean we play on the night of the 24th, it would also mean that we play again four games in nine days. That's pretty much the worst you can get.

"I always said that the broadcaster has to consider that the wonderful thing they sell -- and give a lot of money to the clubs -- depends on the players, depends on the quality of the players, depends on the freshness of the players.

"So if we have to play on the Dec. 24, I'm not sure we can fight against it, but Sky has to then make the decision if they really want to do this -- if they really want to bring supporters on the street at night, bring all the people who work for the television away from home. I think we are the last ones to say something about this decision.

"I really think it's no problem for the people to be concentrated on something else than football. For us, it's not a normal time. If we don't play on the 24th then we will probably play on the 25th or the 26th -- I'm not sure. It's still Christmas for our families, but not for us. We are used to it.

"I really cannot imagine anybody wants to watch football on this night, but I'm not so important."

Klopp was speaking to the assembled media ahead of Liverpool's trip to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

After an indifferent start to the season, Liverpool trail the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League by five points.

"There are a few teams that are obviously flying, does that mean the other teams should not try to fly as well?" Klopp said. "We all have to give up and say: 'Oh my god, they're so good this year. I really want to have a season ticket in Manchester -- whichever stadium.'

"Or is it allowed that we really still try to sort our things and improve? With all the problems that we've had so far, we've got 11 points -- think what could happen if we sort all the problems. I have no problem with criticism, I only have problems when people think we cannot sort out our stuff.

"We are really working hard, it's not like we lost our football knowledge overnight. We know where we have to do better and that's what we're working on -- it's what the Manchester clubs are doing. They're two fantastic clubs -- sorry to say this -- fantastic teams, fantastic managers, it's clear they will do things really well.

"Chelsea, still a good side. Tottenham -- oh my god! Arsenal, in a good way. Other teams, obviously improving. That's the football world, no problem, all good. The only thing we can do is to focus on our football and what we are doing. It's not perfect so far, but that's the past already so let's look to make it better from the next game."

Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho has scored in Liverpool's last two games, with Klopp going on to praise how his team handled the return of the Brazilian following his attempts to force a move to Barcelona in the transfer window.

"It's just good to have him here," Klopp said."The team was really happy when he was back, there was no difficult discussions about why and what.

"That's professional football -- there are offers for different players and that's how it is. Sometimes people think about it, sometimes not. That's absolutely normal.

"But being where you are with 100 percent when the decisions are made -- that's the only way life works and football is no different to that. He's here with 100 percent and that's really good."

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