JURGEN KLOPP has jokingly claimed that he will never watch TNT Sports again after he leaves Liverpool.

The German coach, 56, dropped the bombshell in January that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

3

The ex-Dortmund manager has transformed Liverpool back into one of the game’s top sides since taking charge in October 2015.

He achieved legendary status when ending their 30-year title drought in 2020 while he also led the Reds to three Champions League finals – tasting success in 2019.

Despite Liverpool’s title aspirations and Europa League hopes going up in smoke over the past fortnight, Klopp is departing Anfield with a Carabao Cup triumph.

He was in good spirits this morning at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Tottenham.

But he could not resist another rant of fixture scheduling and pile-ups as he took a swipe at TNT Sports again for the broadcaster regularly putting his side in the Saturday lunchtime spot after they had been in midweek European action.

And he also said English football’s congested calendar is hindering our sides from enjoying more success against the continent’s top teams.

Klopp began his tongue-in-cheek rant by saying: “The boys had a few days off this week which was super important and we could have proper training sessions again, which we are not used to.

“We stumble from one -1 into the next. I said it from the first day, training helps.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

“In general it’s a really interesting subject, seeing that Aston Villa lost 4-2 last night. If they go out it would mean no English team is in a European final.

“You will all stay here, you will all talk about it. If you don’t decrease the intensity for the players…

“If you think that all English teams underperformed, there were definitely moments – us against Atalanta and things like this. 

“But the Premier League is the best league in the world. It is not overrated, the players are overworked. Somebody needs to help the people.”

Klopp continued: “You cut off one game (FA Cup replays), you give the top teams three more Champions League games. Everyone has a reason to say, ‘You cannot cut off these games, they are important!’ But you cannot sort it all the time.

“I had a discussion the other day with colleagues from my favourite TV channel which I will definitely never watch again, TNT. And people always say, ‘They pay you! They give money for football’. It’s not that, it’s the other way around, football pays them.

“They broadcast and deliver it but it’s not like TNT or Sky is doing really well and can pay all of you. You have to become a partner of football again and not just the squeezer. That’s just a little advice from an old man on the way out.”

Klopp was not finished as he added: “I will watch a lot of football but not all – people can survive without matches from time to time. Manchester City and Arsenal are out in the quarter-finals, it’s just not a reflection of quality. We are out in the quarter-finals. Yes other countries have good teams, it’s not about that – it’s a sign.

“We have to change our approach. That’s how it is. When I speak about it they think it’s because of our situation, if we lost the last game. But it’s a general problem. Nothing to do with our schedule now. They dare to give Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday 12.30 – it’s a crime!

Klopp has botched his Liverpool exit… and it’s cost him his legacy, says Dave Kidd

By Dave Kidd

NOW we know Jurgen Klopp’s final major trophy haul at Liverpool — one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup, two League Cups and (if you must) a World Club Cup.

But where does his reign stand among the greatest of the Premier League era?

In black-and-white terms, Klopp is way behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, the only two men to have won multiple Premier Leagues and a Champions League at the same club.

Those two sit alongside Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Sir Matt Busby as the undoubted all-time managerial greats of the English game.

But Klopp ranks in the next tier down — with Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho (the Chelsea version), Bill Shankly and Don Revie.

These were all men with the strength of character to transform their clubs in their own image and enjoy success but who did not win as much as they might have done.

Had Klopp managed to keep his intentions under wraps and ended up with another title, perhaps even a treble or quadruple, he’d have edged himself up into that highest echelon with Ferguson, Guardiola, Clough, Paisley and Busby.

But deciding the timing and the manner of your exit is one of the toughest calls for any manager or sportsman.

Klopp got it wrong.

Read Dave Kidd’s take on Klopp’s demise in full here.

Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.

“I was waiting for Amnesty International to go to them. I would like to be part of that meeting when someone says, ‘Liverpool 12.30’ and the whole room bursts into [laughter]. I would like to be there. The quickest turnaround in the whole world… Liverpool!

“They say you have to fight more and go for it. It’s absolutely insane. But they are still happy. They like subscribers, you can take me off that list. If you are ever looking for a pundit, I speak English and could do it, but… what was the question by the way?”

Klopp and Liverpool talisman Mo Salah were spotted rowing on the touchline in last week’s draw at West Ham.

And talk of a rift between them escalated after the forward’s post-match remarks.

However, the departing boss has rubbished any talk of a fall-out, saying: “Completely resolved.

“It’s not a problem. We have known each other for (a long time) and respect each other. We have a right to deal with these things completely independently. It’s a non-story.”

3