Klopp: Kick-off at 12? I’m usually hungry then

Matt Stead

Jurgen Klopp is unhappy at the kick-off time for Liverpool’s clash with Swansea on Sunday, claiming that he is “usually hungry” at 12 o’clock.

Liverpool will travel to Wales to face Swansea at lunchtime on Sunday, having faced Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday.

The Reds lost that game 1-0, and Klopp says that his squad returned to England at half past three on Friday morning.

The German has expressed his dissatisfaction at the kick-off time for Sunday’s clash, but insists he will approach the game looking to win.

“We have to respect intensity of the last game and think about the line up for Sunday. 12 o’clock kick off? I can’t believe that.

“We got home at half three. I guess no-one slept straight away. I’ll see the players in a few hours and then make a decision.

“We will prepare for this game. I will analyse and then know more about Swansea. We will work out how to take three points from there.

“I want everything. We will go there and try to win. We know the situation. We have to make difficult decisions with line up.”

On the 12 o’clock kick-off time, Klopp added: “A few years ago we played in Athens with Dortmund in the Champions League. They cancelled their game in the league because they wanted to beat Dortmund!

“I don’t want to make headlines. Nobody in this room can think we should start at 12?!

“On Sunday all English people will have lunch while we play football. This is my first time with a 12 o’clock kick-off. Who made this decision?

“I could not imagine that something like this would happen.

“But it’s not an excuse – it’s just funny for a few people. But it’s not really funny.

“At 12 o’clock I am usually hungry. If my players are also hungry at that time on Sunday that will help us.”