Man United’s fixture pile-up a ‘crime’: Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said forcing Manchester United to play three Premier League matches in five days was a “crime” ahead of today’s rearranged fixture between the two sides. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes ahead of his side’s 2-1 home defeat by Leicester on Tuesday, which confirmed Manchester City as champions. But the result also gave Leicester, now in third, a nine-point advantage over deposed champions Liverpool, who are scrambling to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Klopp’s side, who have two games in hand over Leicester, are seven points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, having played a game fewer. “I said it 500 times that with all the things that happened, and the protests at Manchester, to play Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday is a crime,” Klopp said. “It is. But it is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the players. My question to myself was: ‘Would I have done the same?’ Yes. You have to. You have to.” Klopp said Premier League bosses had failed in their objective following the postponement of the United-Liverpool clash earlier this month as a result of protests at Old Trafford against US owners the Glazers. “The explanation from the Premier League was that no other team should suffer because of the things (protests) that happened in Manchester,” he said.  “Let me say it like this – that didn’t work out pretty well. A little bit West Ham (in fifth place), a little bit Liverpool (suffered). But if we don’t qualify for the Champions League it is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his team selection or the Premier League, it is our fault.” Klopp was fulsome in his praise of Pep Guardiola’s achievement in winning the league title for the third time in four seasons, hailing him as the “best manager in the world”. It is a ninth European league title as a manager for Guardiola, who won three La Liga crowns with Barcelona and the Bundesliga three times with Bayern Munich. “A great achievement, congratulations,” said Klopp. “I texted Pep last night and Ilkay (Gundogan, a player Klopp managed at Borussia Dortmund). It was a very difficult year for the whole world, for football teams as well, and what they achieved so far this year is exceptional.” Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his loyalty remains towards his players and fans as he dismissed any concerns about what Liverpool might think about him fielding a weakened team against Leicester City. Solskjaer made 10 changes for United’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. The United manager is expected to recall his first-team regulars at home to Liverpool today. Asked whether he was prepared for a reaction from Liverpool supporters and manager Juergen Klopp, Solskjaer said: “My job is for Manchester United and my concern is the Manchester United fans. What they (United fans) think about my team, what they want from my team and that we come together as one and show what Manchester United is.” Victory over Klopp’s side would all but end Liverpool’s Champions League qualification hopes but Solskjaer maintains he had no other option but to rotate his squad for four games in eight days.  Despite United’s defeat by Leicester, Solskjaer was impressed with his rejigged lineup, which included Premier League debuts for young forwards Amad Diallo and Anthony Elanga. There will be changes of course but many of the players that played tonight did really well, so they are in contention (for Liverpool),” the Norwegian added. Captain Harry Maguire will miss the remainder of the league season after United confirmed on Tuesday the England centre back sustained ankle ligament damage in the weekend win against Aston Villa. Solskjaer is hopeful Maguire can prove his fitness ahead of United’s Europa League final against Villarreal on May 26, with the defender also crucial to England boss Gareth Southgate’s plans for the upcoming European Championship. If he is fit, he will play for us, if he is not, he won’t but we are hopeful that he will be ready and if he is ready for us then he will probably be ready for the Euros,” Solskjaer said.