Liverpool’s first game back from the international break is against Wolves. Jurgen Klopp’s side had a tough time at 12:30pm kick-offs last season, failing to secure a single victory in this time slot. If you’re curious to hear more about this topic, check out the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast, ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ by Dominic Hogan. This article was originally published at 13:55 BST on September 15, 2023, and was updated at 15:07 BST on the same day.
During a press conference on Friday, Jurgen Klopp expressed his frustration with his team’s schedule, as they were once again selected to play at 12:30pm on Saturday. Despite a lackluster performance last season, Liverpool has had a strong start to the 2023-24 season, winning three games and drawing one in the Premier League campaign. Mohamed Salah, who was rumored to be considering a move to Saudi Arabia, has been in excellent form, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Klopp, however, reassured the fans that he is not concerned about Salah leaving in January. In addition to questions about Jordan Henderson’s departure, Klopp faced inquiries about his team’s poor record in 12:30pm kick-offs. The subject seemed to bother the German manager, as he lost all six matches in this timeslot last season. Notably, Liverpool lost to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest in October 2022 and suffered a defeat at the hands of Bournemouth in March, which damaged their top-four ambitions.
When initially questioned about his team’s struggles in 12:30pm kick-offs, Klopp responded defensively, asking if the question was serious. Liverpool’s record from last season illustrates their difficulties in these matches. Klopp emphasized the lack of recovery time between matches as a significant factor, particularly after international breaks. He mentioned that Liverpool has four international breaks scheduled until March, and two of them coincide with 12:30pm kick-off times. Klopp vented his frustration over the lack of consideration given to the players’ recovery time, especially when they have to travel long distances. Despite his complaints, he acknowledged that they cannot change the scheduling and that discussing the issue further would be pointless.
Last season, Liverpool lost three 12:30pm matches and drew three others, with two of the losses occurring at home. They faced Fulham and Everton in away matches, while Chelsea played at Anfield. The away matches against Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Manchester City also resulted in losses. This season, Liverpool will play in two 12:30pm matches immediately after international breaks, with two more such games scheduled until March.
Despite their historical dominance over Wolves, with 59 wins compared to Wolves’ 39, recent encounters between the two teams have been more evenly matched. Last season, Liverpool faced Wolves four times in a span of three months, winning twice (once in the league and once in the FA Cup Third Round replay) and losing once in a 3-0 league defeat at Molineux.
For more intriguing insights on Premier League football, make sure to tune in to Mail Sport’s podcast, ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ It’s available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify.
Share or comment on this article: Is Jurgen Klopp SCARED of the early kick-off curse? Liverpool manager fumes at being selected for two lunchtime slots following international breaks after failing to win ANY of their six 12:30 games last season.
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