Klopp: 'Playing midday is my new hobby'

Manager Jurgen Klopp feels frustrated if he continues to complain about Liverpool's lack of recovery time and has to meet Man City in round 13 of the Premier League at midday.

Liverpool will kick off at the Etihad at 12.30pm London time, the earliest available time for the Premier League, with several players having played international football. Darwin Nunez (Uruguay) and Luis Diaz (Colombia) have both played in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America in different time zones.

"My English is not good enough to make sure you understand my point of view. So why should I waste time explaining?" Klopp said at his pre-match press conference at the Etihad. "Nobody wants to listen to my explanation, what I say. I'm tired of that. So I'll say I like to play at 12.30pm, that's my new hobby."

Coach Klopp at a press conference before the Man City match in round 13 of the Premier League. Photo: AFP — Coach Klopp at a press conference before the Man City match in round 13 of the Premier League. Photo: *AFP*

The game against Man City is the 42nd time Liverpool have played on a Saturday afternoon since Klopp was appointed in October 2015 - more than any other Premier League club in that time. City are next, followed by Tottenham (38), Man Utd (33), Chelsea (31).

In Klopp's 41 Saturday afternoon games, Liverpool have won 20, drawn 11 and lost eight, averaging 1.78 points per game. That's the second-best return in the 'Big 6' behind Man City (2.24), but well behind Liverpool's all-time average (2.16).

The British press believes that Liverpool's performance in Saturday afternoon matches is a sign of their title prospects under Klopp. The "Red Brigade" won all 12 matches in the 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 seasons. Of which, they won the 2019-2020 season and were only one point behind Man City in the remaining two seasons. In contrast, Klopp's army won only one of five Saturday afternoon matches in the 2020-2021 season, as they struggled to finish in the top 4 in the final rounds. Liverpool did not win all six matches in this time slot, with draws against Fulham, Everton, Chelsea, and losses to Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Man City, when they finished fifth last season.

Last season, Liverpool were thrashed 4-1 at the Etihad and Klopp predicted another difficult game for his team. "Man City have been the strongest club in the world for the last few years," the 56-year-old coach praised the defending champions. "Our record at the Etihad is not great. If we make Man City unable to play their normal game, then we have a chance. If they play comfortably, then no team has a chance."

Klopp and Pep Guardiola have been in a constant title race, dominating the Premier League for the past six seasons. Man City have won five, Liverpool the other and missed out on two titles by just one point. Asked if Liverpool and Man City could form the biggest rivalry in Premier League history, Klopp said: "I don't know, but this is the toughest game you can play for many years. The fans will decide the rivalry, but on the field, we need time to become rivals on the pitch."

Hong Duy

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