In late November, Liverpool are gearing up for a crucial clash with Manchester City, but they’re facing a familiar frustration as the team’s striker, Darwin Nunez, might not be match-fit for the game.
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has been vocal about the persistent issue of early Saturday kick-off times following international breaks, which significantly hampers the return and preparation of players playing for their respective nations during this time.
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This upcoming match against City marks the third occasion where Liverpool have had to kick off at 12.30 pm on Saturday right after the international break.
Klopp has highlighted the challenge of getting international stars, especially those from South America, back to the club in time for adequate preparation.
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These players often arrive just a day before the game, leaving minimal time for training and recovery.
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Nunez, who plays for Uruguay, faces a tight schedule, featuring in a match against Bolivia on November 21. This means he might only return to Liverpool on November 23, leaving very little time to prepare for the game against City.
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If the match had been pushed to Sunday, Nunez would likely have had a better chance to start.
Klopp has previously expressed frustration at the scheduling, particularly the early kick-off slots after international breaks, citing the lack of recovery time and the challenge of adapting to such tight turnarounds.
Despite his complaints, there’s a sense that little can be done as the TV schedule remains unchanged, impacting the team’s preparation and player readiness.
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The issue seems to persist despite Klopp’s voiced concerns earlier in the season. The frustration lies in the lack of flexibility in the scheduling, causing difficulties for the team to have their international stars adequately prepared for these significant matches.
“We have four international breaks by March and four two of them we have already been given the 12.30pm kick-off [immediately afterwards]. But we cannot change it. We will never change that, whoever we talk to.
Now the TV channel has a different name, but obviously it doesn’t change anything at all. They don’t give a… so why should I talk about that? We don’t think about it.
It’s not a problem if you have a normal week. We’ve always said that – it’s easy to adapt. The only problem is the lack of recovery time.”
Said Klopp.
Liverpool is my Religion and Anfield is my Church. 17th May 1996 the date I had my blood coloured red. The one you love the most you can not live without it and that is football to me.
