Jurgen Klopp’s angry rant at TV companies is CUT from Sky’s coverage of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Leicester after he blasted broadcasters over kick-off times and packed schedule… despite being shown around the rest of the world
- Part of Jurgen Klopp’s post-match interview on Sunday was cut by Sky Sports
- The Liverpool boss slammed broadcasters over kick-off times and the schedule
- Klopp insisted that BT and Sky Sports need to talk to find a solution on the matter
- He told Geoff Shreeves the current broadcasting deal is not for a ‘Covid season’
- It comes as his side are currently without a number of key players due to injuries
- Liverpool still produced an impressive performance to beat Leicester 3-0
Sky Sports refused to air Jurgen Klopp’s angry rant against TV broadcasters following Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Leicester.
Klopp blasted Sky and BT Sports in his post-match interview, urging the broadcasters to allow players more time to recover between games.
His side were missing a number of key players going into the game due to injury, including Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Jurgen Klopp said BT and Sky Sports need to talk and find a solution over kick-off times
They suffered another blow during the match when they were forced to replace Naby Keita who sustained a hamstring injury.
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves, Klopp accused the broadcasters of not caring about player welfare and urged them to find a solution to the tight schedule which has been created as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Klopp said: ‘It was never about us when I spoke about it. It’s about all the players, England players, players who play next summer in the European Championships.
‘But if you (Sky) don’t start talking to BT then we’re all done. Sky and BT have to talk because if we keep playing on Wednesday and then Saturday (at) 12:30, I’m not sure if we will finish the season with 11 players – all the top seven.
‘But I know you (the broadcasters) don’t care and that’s the problem.’
Shreeves rebutted Klopp that it’s wrong to say that but the German fired back: ‘No it’s not wrong to say it because we’ve discussed it for a long time already and nothing’s happened.
‘Everyone tells me it’s really difficult but it’s really difficult for the players, the rest is just a decision on a desk in an office.
Klopp’s rant was axed from Sky Sports’ UK-based coverage but was shown around the world
Naby Keita is the latest in a long-line of injuries sustained by the Premier League champions
‘I’m happy about the game but we lost another midfielder (Keita). Also on the bench we don’t have a lot but that’s the situation.
‘But it’s not about us I don’t talk about Liverpool, I talk about all the football players out there. Yesterday, (Gerard) Pique massive knee injury. (Bukayo) Saka, maybe, I’m not sure, looked like a knee injury – he played all three games for England during the international break.
‘Now people tell us to rotate players but who? We have some offensive players but the rest are kids.
‘It’s a massive problem. Wednesday and Saturday 12:30 is a broadcaster problem and nothing else. We play against Atalanta on Wednesday and then 12:30 (Saturday) against Brighton. It’s an early Christmas present. We will show up there shaking. I think about sending the points. That’s how it is.
Klopp told Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves that Sky and BT Sports need to resolve the problem
‘Gentlemen, start talking and start making decisions. I know it’s not you. I like the relationship with you.’
Shreeves looked to make note of the fact that clubs agreed to a deal with the broadcasters but was interrupted by the Liverpool boss.
Klopp said: ‘If someone tells me again about contracts I’ll go really nuts. Because these contracts aren’t made for a Covid season.
‘We all have to adapt. You stand here with a face mask, a year ago did you think you would have to go somewhere with a face mask and interview like this?
‘That’s the situation so everything’s changed but the contract with the broadcasters is still: ‘We have this, so we keep this’. What? Everything changed, the whole world changed!’
Klopp called on all players to be protected after Gerard Pique suffered a nasty knee injury
Despite injury problems Liverpool were able to romp home to a comfortable 3-0 victory
Liverpool’s opponents on Sunday also went into the game missing key players including Ricardo Pereira, Wifred Ndidi, Caglar Soyuncu and Timothy Castagne.
Klopp’s side went second in the table with their victory thanks to an own-goal by Jonny Evans and headers from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
Managers including Klopp and Manchester City adversary Pep Guardiola have also spoken about the need to re-introduce five substitutes per game due to the packed schedule to give players more of a rest.
This notion has been questioned by others including Burnley boss Sean Dyche and Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder, as they feel it would favour the big clubs.
Sportsmail have asked Sky Sports for a comment.