Jurgen Klopp vs Des Kelly: Liverpool boss takes aim at BT Sport and Chris Wilder in furious interview over Premier League schedule

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp got into a heated exchange with BT Sport interviewer Des Kelly, venting his fury at the broadcasters over the Premier League schedule following the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday.

In an extraordinary interview, Klopp congratulated BT Sport for James Milner’s injury and hit back at Chris Wilder, returning the Sheffield United manager’s ‘selfish’ jibe for his opposing view on the five-sub rule.

bt sport

Klopp was raging in his post-match interview

Des Kelly challenged him on his views

But Kelly refused to roll over and challenged the Liverpool boss on his attack, insisting his problem should be with the Premier League and not the broadcasters.

The build-up to the game was dominated by Klopp’s complaints about the hectic schedule amid Liverpool’s ever-deepening injury crisis.

Following their 2-0 defeat to Atalanta on Wednesday, the Reds played Brighton in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, and Klopp’s worst fears were realised after the quick turnaround.

Not only were they on the end of some controversial VAR decisions as Brighton cancelled out Diogo Jota’s strike with a penalty in stoppage time, they also suffered yet another injury as James Milner hobbled off with a worrying-looking problem.

Klopp was absolutely raging in his post-match interview with BT and it was pure gold. You can read the best bits below…

Milner was the latest player to suffer injury for Liverpool

Kelly: “James Milner, hamstring is it?”

Klopp: “Yeah, congratulations.”

Kelly: “Me personally?”

Klopp: “No, but you work for them yeah? Hamstring. Surprise. And they had injuries as well because it’s a tough time.”

Klopp: “Maybe ask Chris Wilder about it. [BT] picked the 12.30 kick-off. You did it!”

Kelly: “Maybe you’re firing at the wrong target, we are broadcasters, we work within Premier League rules, and Premier League makes the rules, that’s the Premier League clubs, so shouldn’t you be talking to Premier League clubs?”

Getty – Pool

Gross slotted the penalty home – something Maupay couldn’t do in the first half

Klopp: “I don’t know how often I have to say it, you pick us for 12:30 kick-offs.”

Kelly: “The Premier League clubs chose that slot.”

Klopp: “These are difficult times.”

Kelly: “Of course it’s difficult and the broadcasters are supporting the game.”

Klopp: “I’m not having a go at the broadcasters, I just say how it is. 12:30 after Wednesday is really dangerous for the Premier League players.”

Kelly: “If it’s about Premier League players’ welfare why did the Premier League clubs block five subs?”

Klopp: “Because, when we had the talk between the managers a week ago, it was 55%, if not 60%, for five subs. But since then nothing happened.

getty

Diogo Jota netted his ninth goal in 14 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool

“Chris Wilder or whoever, constantly say I’m selfish. I think all the things show that he’s selfish but that’s not too important. I was in a similar situation as he is when I worked at Mainz – all about staying in the league.

“If we have 5 subs today I take off Robbo for Kostas to save him. It’s not for tactics, it’s to save the players. It’s for all players. You will it from now on til December. We will see.”

And you can watch the full eight minutes below…