Jose Mourinho has stated that criticism towards broadcasters, amid fixture pile-up, from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is something he has known ‘since 2004’, as he told his press conference ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Ludogorets.
Liverpool took part in their Champions League encounter against Atalanta on Wednesday night, but they have little time to recover because they play Brighton in the Premier League at Saturday lunchtime.
Spurs are another team who have had to deal with a heavy fixture load during this delayed and compact season, including the early part of the campaign when they had to cram Europa League qualifiers, League Cup and Premier League matches into their schedule.
Mourinho, who began his career in England with Chelsea in 2004 as the self-proclaimed ‘special one’, was asked about Klopp’s criticism of the fixture list and the broadcasters.
“I think Klopp arrived [in the Premier League] in 2014 or 2015 something like that,” said Mourinho. “I arrived in 2004, so what he knows since 2014 or 2015, I know since 2004 and nothing changes.
“We have to adapt to it and that’s the way it is. We have to try to win every match and also play a competitive team with quality.
On playing two different squads for Europe and the PL: “But two squads for two different competitions, no. One squad for two, three or four competitions. Using the players according to our feelings, their moments and to the needs of the team.”
Liverpool ended up losing their Champions League tie against Atalanta, with Klopp having to make several changes to his squad.
The managers in Europe have argued that the Premier League, like the rest of Europe, need to bring back the five substitutions rule, so that coaches can manage their players better.
But, of course, 14 of the Premier League teams voted against that idea at the start of the season, so it will be interesting to see if it will be put to a vote once again.
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