Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has asked for all three points to be awarded to Liverpool if the Reds’ Match Day 3 fixture against Manchester United does not hold due to a planned protest by fans. Liverpool will travel to Manchester on Monday 22 August 2022 to take on the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
On April 2021, Manchester United vs Liverpool game at Old Trafford had to be called off after fans invaded the stadium with placards calling for the resignation of the Glazers family from the club. A similar scenario may likely repeat itself as the #GlazersOutNow protest gathers momentum. Manchester United fans are planning a massive protest again to demand the departure of the Glazers family.
Jurgen Klopp has vented his disapproval of a hint of postponement of the clash on Monday. The likelihood of postponing the game due to planned unrest is not sitting well with the German tactician. According to Klopp, Liverpool should be awarded all three points if the game is postponed.
“A plan to postpone the game? Yes, we will go home on the bus, but hope that will not happen. But if it happens, then we should be awarded the points,” he said.
The former Dortmund manager maintained that Liverpool had nothing to do with the planned protest and should not be dragged into an already tight schedule. If the match is postponed, it means his team has to battle a rearranged game in an already busy schedule.
“We don’t have anything to do with the situation”, Klopp noted. “We cannot rearrange the game if the supporters does not want the game to happen. The season’s schedule is already filled with games.”
Coach Jurgen Klopp maintained that Liverpool are ready for the fixture and will hope to play there, but if the game does not take place, then his team is not at fault. In such a situation, the other team should be awarded the point.
“People tell us we are fine, we go there and play the game hopefully and go home”, he added. “But in a situation like this, always the other team should get the points because they have nothing to do with it and they have prepared for it.”
Erik Ten Hag Responds To The Planned Protest
Since assuming duties as new Manchester United manager, this is the first time Erik Ten Hag will have to face angry Man United fans. When asked about the protest, Ten Hag took to the fence, maintaining that the fans deserve the best, but their support is equally needed for the team to move forward.
“I can understand sometimes but I am not that long in the club that I can see all the backgrounds, but we have to be unified and fight together”, he said.
Ten Hag maintained that the team lacks a “fighting spirit” and that they have to do more. He also talked about his game plan, the team’s performance, his promise to improve, and the attitude of Man United players, which are key factors in their back-to-back defeats.
“And then you analyze and you see what’s wrong and what’s good. Now obviously, a lot went wrong [in the 4-0 defeat to Brentford], but what I say is you don’t have to talk about anything when the attitude is not right”, the coach said.
Why The Planned Protest?
The Glazers family took charge of Manchester United in 2005. Under former legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils pulled a solid showing in the Premier League and European club competitions.
The exit of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 ushered in a long run of trophy drought and abysmal performance by the club. Manchester United has only won three trophies – the FA Cup under Louis Van Gaal, the League Cup, and Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
Manchester United have struggled both in the Premier League and UEFA club competitions. The fans blame the club’s ownership led by the Glazers Family for the club’s misfortunes.
Despite the arrival of the highly-rated former Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag, Man United have continued in their poor form. The Red Devils have suffered back-to-back defeats in the opening matches in the Premier League. Discontent among disgruntled fans has been growing. The fans want the Glazers’ 17-years-old reign at Old Trafford to end.
The Red Devils battle Liverpool in their third Premier League encounter. Both sides will be hoping to record their first win of the season. The likelihood of the match holding is low as fans plan heavy protest again against the Glazers.
