Jurgen Klopp hits out at fixture scheduling yet again with Liverpool set to face Man City at 12.30pm on Saturday after international break with match live on TNT Sports

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Jurgen Klopp has blasted the Premier League and television companies for scheduling Liverpool’s crucial title clash with Manchester City for Saturday lunchtime immediately after the international break.

The match at the Etihad between the Premier League’s top two will kick off live on TNT Sport at lunchtime on November 25, a little over 72 hours players from both sides will be involved in South American World Cup qualifiers including Brazil v Argentina more than six thousand miles away.

Ederson, Alisson, Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allilster and Darwin Nunez will be among those affected.

‘How can you put a game like this on Saturday at 12.30pm?,’ fumed Klopp.

‘Honestly, the people making the decisions, they cannot feel football. It is just not possible. This is the moment the world pays the most to see a football game.

Jurgen Klopp has reignited early kick-off row ahead of Liverpool’s showdown with Man City

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez will be in South America just 72 before the match at the Etihad

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‘And by the way, the players will all come back on the same plane, all the South American players, picking them up from different countries.’

Klopp believes decisions like this will ultimately harm the Premier League product because fatigued players will not be able to deliver their best for one of the season’s stand-out fixtures.

‘You have to fight your way through the most difficult league in the world and be ready on Thursday and on Sunday, and Thursday.

‘And if the Premier League has the opportunity to do it, be ready on Saturday at 12.30pm!’ he added.

At least Klopp’s side will go into the City game with confidence. They protected an 18-match unbeaten league run at Anfield by beating Brentford 3-0 with a couple of goals from Mo Salah, and one by Diogo Jota.

‘The boys responded sensationally well to not a good match in Toulouse,’ he said. ‘It is only November but it’s really important we have the same points as other teams.

‘We haven’t played perfect football yet, not even close. But we have fought four way through in moments and it is all fine.’

On a title challenge, he added: ‘If we are still up there in March or April, maybe we can start talking,’ he said.

Brentford defender Ben Mee, 34, returned for his first start since September following a muscular injury.

‘We were disappointed to concede three goals because it felt like we were in the game for long periods. We created chances in the first half. When you come to Anfield and you get chances, you need to take them.’

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