JURGEN KLOPP has called Manchester United’s fixture pile-up CRIMINAL and backed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for resting his stars.
The United boss made ten changes as they lost 2-1 against Leicester, making it tougher for Liverpool to finish in the top four.
And the Red Devils’ defeat on Tuesday night was the second of three fixtures in a crazy five-day schedule following Sunday’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash at United, Reds boss Klopp said: “Playing Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday is a crime.”
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Liverpool are seven points off fourth-placed Chelsea and must win their last four to have any shot at Champions League qualification.
Klopp said: “If we do not make it into the Champions League, it will not be the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or his players.
“It will be our fault because even in this season, in which we have had so many injuries, we really should have been five or six points better than we are.
“I know Ole made ten changes but I would have done the same thing — I expected him to do that.
If we do not make it into the Champions League, it will not be the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or his players
Jurgen Klopp
“This is the end of a long season already and then you get Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and it’s just not right.
“So it is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, even if it means we now need to get a few favours if we are going to make the top four.”
Meanwhile, Klopp paid tribute to managerial rival Pep Guardiola and Manchester City for taking his fallen champions’ title.
The German revealed: “I texted Pep and also Ilkay Gundogan.
“For City to win five titles in the last ten years is exceptional. This is a great achievement.
“When you can bring together financial resources and good knowledge, with the best manager in the world, you can see what can be achieved.
“And it is always a joy to play against them and while you can beat them, you have to be at your highest to do so.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
