Andy Holt,the owner of Accrington Stanley has slammed Jurgen Klopp in a public outburst of Klopp’s management decisions. The former defender, Holt, also called on the Football Association to take legal action against Liverpool if they plan on fielding a youth team in their FA Cup second leg match with Shrewsbury.
Klopp has said he and his senior players will not be at Anfield for the return match. Klopp insist he wants to ensure that they would have a winter break and are well rested. This is coming after the Reds were held to a 2-2 draw by the League One side in Sunday’s fourth round clash.
It is believed that Under-23s manager Neil, will instead lead his team out. For the second leg clash. This was also the case back in December during the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash, when Liverpool opted to proritise their Club World Cup commitments.
The idea of Liverpool resting their players in the FA Cup and the manager opting to miss the match too has been met with fury by Holt. The outspoken chairman of League Two Accrington took an aim at Klopp over his boycott plans on social media.
Not holding back his feelings he wrote in a series of posts on Twitter: “He’s a disgrace. I’ll never understand why top clubs and top @premierleague players don’t stand up and stay united with clubs and players further down the pyramid. This is pure selfishness of the highest degree. I’d drag myself out of bed to play the replay. Because it’s the right thing to do.”
“I wouldn’t give a shit how tired I was. I’d do the right thing. I’d give a bit back instead of being a grasping, selfish type. We spoke about the @EmiratesFACup and how top @premierleague would rather be playing exhibition matches in China building their profits and brands.”
“That’s why @FA were considering significantly increasing the first prizes far more than the earlier rounds proportionately. We have only just given up 5th round replays…. They’re back for 4th round replays… They join in the 3rd.”
“Jurgen LFC, you’re embarrassing yourself. Your tarnishing your reputation. Rethink where you go from here. You’re killing @EmiratesFACup. There’s calls to kill @Carabao_Cup You’re killing us.”
Klopp has been very outspoken for some time on packed fixtures schedule and the impact it has on players. It’s only right to assume that with his side juggling Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup commitments, the Reds Boss must do what he deems fit for his players. Klopp has always been one to put his players needs before the Clubs, hence the backlash he is currently receiving.
Just shortly after the draw with Shrewsbury, the Reds Boss said: “In April 2019 we got a letter from the Premier League, I think, where they asked us to respect the winter break and not to organise international friendlies or competitive games. We respect that.”
“So I said to the boys already two weeks ago that we will have a winter break which means we will not be there. It will be the kids who play that game. You cannot deal with us like nobody cares about it. I know that it’s not very popular but that’s the way I see it.”
“The Premier League asked us to respect the winter break. That’s what we do. If the FA doesn’t respect that, then we cannot change it. We will not be there.Does that mean I won’t be there? Yes. Neil Critchley will be in charge” Klopp added.
Danny Murphy, former Liverpool midfielder, has come to Klopp’s defense. Murphy said it’s very understandable why Klopp would want to rest his players. Liverpool’s match is taking place in the middle of the Premier League’s first ever mid-winter break. Which many deemed as harsh as seen as other Clubs players were well resting.
Murphy, however stated he does not believe the Klopp should be absent from the dugout against Shrewsbury. Murphy believes Klopp is very much needed and could give tips for the youngster if they were to step up and play in place of the Reds Boss players.
Speaking, Murphy said: “I’m completely with Jurgen Klopp in protecting his players when they’re pushing for the league for the first time in the 30 years and they’ve got the Champions League still.”
“Protect your players, I understand that; you’ve got a big squad, you’ve got good youngsters, rotate the team no problem. But I think he should be there. He should be at the game. I don’t think there’s any reason for him not to be there.”
Liverpool have continued their unbeaten run and are said to have the Premiere League title in their hands already. The Reds are also working to secure the Champions League title. FA Cup doesn’t seem to be a top priority for Klopp as they have already secured the World Cup title.
