Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is hypocrite for fixture congestion claims

Martin Macdonald

• 21 Dec 2023 11:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Jurgen Klopp said before Liverpool’s 5-1 thrashing of West Ham that though he is not a native of England, he’s been here long enough to know what the winter schedule is like.

The German coach has been one of the most vocal critics of the fixture congestion mid-season, saying that the schedule leads to injuries to his first-team players, as well as fatigue.

Ahead of the West Ham match, Klopp told the press: “I know people do not like to hear this but the period we are in is one in which everyone has to find a way through,” Klopp noted. “There are no easy routes, no shortcuts. It is about digging in, moving on from one game to another, and looking to pick up as many points and positive results as we can.

“I am not a native of England but I have been here long enough to know that this is always the way it is during December. Tonight we have another challenge and also another opportunity. The Carabao Cup is a competition that we have very fond memories of, from winning it back in 2022.”

Liverpool played some of their best players in the starting XI last night, including Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Virgil van Dijk. As well as this, Mohamed Salah was brought on while the Reds were dominating the game - if Klopp was so concerned with the injuries and fatigue, surely he would have been best left alone. Klopp is full of excuses when it suits him. Trouble is that evidently it shows that he is not all that concerned with injuries if he uses the same players for the 'Mickey Mouse Cup' as for the other competitions.

Who scored for Liverpool against West Ham?

Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning opening goal epitomized an outstanding Liverpool display, where Jones shone by scoring a neat brace. Salah, entering the game from the bench, resumed his customary role on the scoresheet, while Gakpo successfully penetrated Alphonse Areola's virtually non-existent defense.

The Reds have been drawn against Fulham in the semifinals of the competition now ahead, with Chelsea and Middlesborough in the other bracket.