Jürgen Klopp launches fiery rant at TNT Sports and Premier League as Liverpool 'problem' clear

Jürgen Klopp has reignited his row with broadcaster TNT Sports and claimed the scheduling of Premier League matches has stopped English sides progressing in Europe. Klopp has been a critic of the 12:30pm kick-off throughout his time as Liverpool boss, with his side drawing with West Ham in the early slot last weekend.

There were no English sides in the semi-finals of either the Champions League or Europa League this week, while Aston Villa has it all to do to reach the final of the Europa Conference League. Unai Emery's side was beaten 4-2 by Olympiacos at Villa Park.

Klopp used those European struggles as a warning to Premier League bosses over the demands on players in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's visit of Tottenham.

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk blow confirmed amid Liverpool injury return ahead of Tottenham

READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp addresses Mohamed Salah touchline row as Liverpool ace eyes Tottenham return

He said: "Seeing Aston Villa lost last night it means no English team will be in a European final, we should ask do we decrease the intensity for the players? The Premier League is the best in the world, not overrated, but someone needs to help the players.

"You have to become a part of football again and not just the squeezer, that is some advice from an old man on the way out. People can survive without matchdays from time to time. City, Arsenal, us out in the quarter-finals, not a reflection of quality but that we couldn't deliver on the day."

Klopp then took aim at TNT, who screens the early kick-off on Saturdays. He warned: "I had a chat with TNT — a television channel I will never watch again — and they said they pay us to play football but I don't see it that way, football pays them. They are still happy and collect subscribers but you can take me off.

"It's a general problem. They dare Thursday-Sunday, Weds-Sat 12:30pm, it is a crime. I was waiting for Amnesty International to go to them. I would like to be part of that meeting when someone says 'Liverpool 12:30pm' and the whole room bursts into laughter. I would love to be there. In the whole world we have the quickest turnaround between games."

Klopp then jokingly offered his services to the broadcaster 'if they are ever after a pundit' and asked if there would be a lawsuit for his negative comments. He added: "When I speak about it people think it is because of the last game [vs West Ham]. No, it's not. It's a general problem."

Liverpool.com says: Clubs are paid a lot of money by TV companies but it does seem like the players are not thought about, let alone supporters. Klopp has never been a fan of the early kick-offs and while that isn't necessarily TNT Sports' fault, it is a general complaint against the Premier League and its broadcasters. Something simply has to change.