Klopp still not happy with Nations League

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken aim at the UEFA Nations League.

The German criticised the competition before the international break and has once again had a swipe at the tournament after seeing several players return from duty with their countries injured – although only Virgil Van Dijk was injured while playing in the Nations League.

Egypt international Mohamed Salah, Guinea midfielder Naby Keita and Senegal winger Sadio Mane all came back from Africa with injuries after playing for their countries.

But that hasn’t stopped the Anfield boss from taking the chance to give his view on the competition format.

“You make a lot of my comments about the Nations League.” he said.

“Everyone has their opinion about it, but the things they say about it are exactly what I think, it’s too much in that competition: Proper games, real opponents, it is better than having any friendlies.

“That’s all good but you don’t want to see [boxer Anthony] Joshua fighting every second night, it’s not possible. This week he fights in Leeds, next week he fights in Manchester and no one asked for it.

“In American Football you have the summer break which is longer than our season, it’s not that long, but it’s a real proper break. In basketball they have a Summer league, whatever it is, and then come together.

“Only football everyone seems to be interested in now having only big competitions where you can get promoted or relegated. Or when Wales play Ireland they play for something and the atmosphere in the stadium is different.

“Do we want to have opera every night or every two months? I like competition, of course, but at one point someone has to step back and think: ‘OK, wait, wait, wait. They are players who play’. If they don’t perform I am angry, so how can we make sure they perform?

“That’s all I wanted to say. The Nations League itself is a good idea, do it in another sport because in football there is no space for it. I realise already I could have told my coffee machine because no one is really interested, but it is still my opinion.

“We only have highlights now, ‘highlight, highlight, highlight’. Where is the rest? When can we have normal things?

“That is all I was talking about.” he finished.

Klopp won’t have long for the next round of fixtures in the tournament, as they take place next month.