how is he whinging? He’s come out and clearly laid out Liverpool FC’s position, which is he is will respect the PL decision to have a break. The only whinging is from the fans of other clubs. He could have kept quiet, played the U23’s in the replay and then faced criticism.
I agree with you. I hadn't seen the post match interview so I went looking for it. He said quite calmly that he told the team 2 weeks ago that they were having a winter break and that if the cup game went to a replay, they wouldn't be there, the fixture would be filled by 'the kids'. When pressed on whether that meant he too wouldn't be there, he replied yes. He's had the plan in place for 2 weeks. I'm not sure where petulance or whingeing fits into that. He's paid to manage the first team and that's what he's doing. He's also making a stand and saying that if you issue a directive for a break and both sides agree to it then both sides should honour it. He's honouring it. Whether or not he's right in taking this stance, I don't know but I see no arrogance, petulance or whingeing. I would have the same view whichever manager was speaking up for his players and his own health and wellbeing. It's not like he's the first PL manager to send an understudy to a major competition while he stayed away with the first team
Who really gives a sh!t though. Other teams, fans and managers should be happy about it, as it gives them a better chance. Would Villa have a cup final if we had played the kids, probably not. Would Shrewsbury have a replay and a great opportunity to get to the next round, probably not. Would Everton still be an embarrassment, yes
The funny thing is that Shrewsbury are probably the happiest in this situation because they got a replay, the gate receipts at Anfield and have a better chance of going through to the next round as they’re playing u23. Klopp is right though - we are simply respecting the winter break. The PL or FA said that clubs should not be playing friendlies or competitive matches during this period.
PL asked the clubs not to play games, they claim its for health reasons. But really its cause they don't want clubs running off to the middle east playing lucrative friendlies during their season. The FA have then ignored the PL and shoved the replays in the break, cause its a gap in the league fixtures.
I agree. This is an issue between the PL and the FA, and they should be the ones getting the flak, not LFC.
