MY ACCOUNT
Jurgen Klopp dismissed the idea that Liverpool were set to benefit from favourable fixture scheduling as clubs across the United Kingdom prepare to contend with soaring temperatures.
While the rest of the Premier League will battle it out in stifling heat over the weekend, Klopp’s team will host Crystal Palace in far cooler conditions on Monday night.
The Reds boss conceded it was preferable to play in the evening, but underlined the fact that Palace have the same comfort.
“It’s much better to play at nighttime than at these other times, but for Crystal Palace it’s the same advantage,” he said.
“It’s much more comfortable to play, of course, but it shouldn’t be a comfortable game. It should be really busy.”
When it was subsequently suggested his side had gained an advantage courtesy of the scheduling, an irritated Klopp replied: “This is what you take out of my answer, that we were helped by the fixture list?
“It’s fortunate for both teams, it makes it a fair competition again. If we only had to play at night and Crystal Palace had to play in the heat, at 30 degrees or whatever, that would be a real advantage.
“But it’s just a game at night.”
Liverpool will be seeking to bounce back from a disappointing opening-game draw at Fulham, which put them immediately on the back foot in what is likely to be another two-horse race for the title, with Manchester City seizing the early initiative.
