PREMIER LEAGUE clubs opposed to the restart fear Liverpool will play the kids once they have won the title.
And they say that will wreck the integrity of the competition.
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Some Prem clubs fear Jurgen Klopp would field inexperienced line-ups to protect his senior players once they seal the titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Rival clubs wonder if the Reds will use youngsters like Adam Lewis and Neco Williams, who featured against ShrewsburyCredit: EPA
Jurgen Klopp caused a storm in February by fielding the Reds’ youth team in a 1-0 FA Cup replay win over Shrewsbury.
Now some top-flight rivals are arguing he will repeat the trick as soon as his runaway leaders bag the title — and they claim that is a reason to stop Project Restart.
Monday’s meeting of the 20 shareholder clubs will be a critical staging post on the journey towards a potential June 12 return to playing matches.
Clubs that have already played Liverpool twice this term fear they will suffer if Klopp opts to protect his stars once the Prem crown is theirs.
We saw what Liverpool did in the cups, so why wouldn’t they do it once they’ve won the league?
Prem club executive
The Kop need just six points to guarantee their first title since 1990.
And they could even be champions after just one of their scheduled nine remaining games if Manchester City lose.
One club executive told SunSport: “We saw what Liverpool did in the cups, so why wouldn’t they do the same once they’ve won the league?
“Jurgen Klopp could just tell his first team to go away for their own safety, which would be understandable.
“But if they put out a shadow side in matches they would have won, and those points become crucial, it warps the league.
“How can that be sporting integrity?”
Liverpool are scheduled to play Everton, Crystal Palace and City before relegation-threatened duo Aston Villa and Brighton.
Prem rules state only that clubs must use players in their 25-man squads as well as those aged under 21 who are on their registered A list.
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So they no longer demand the ‘strongest possible’ side is selected.
There is no suggestion that Klopp is planning such a move.
But with the prospect of what Villa chief executive Christian Purslow called the “£200m catastrophe” of relegation, the matches against struggling teams will be closely scrutinised.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
