Liverpool are blaming the Premier League's fixture list for their 33-minute plane journey home from Newcastle.
The Reds beat Newcastle 2-0 in the Premier League this weekend but are being criticised for their decision to board a plane home from the match.
According to the Mirror, the club 'felt like they had no choice' but to travel by plane because of the quick turnaround before their upcoming Champions League game.
Jurgen Klopp's side face Real Madrid on Tuesday in a huge Champions League clash - after having played at St. James' Park in the late kick-off on Saturday.
According to the report, Klopp opted to fly home because 'the performance benefits for the players was deemed to be the most important factor.'
The Liverpool manager wanted to ensure his players would have maximum recovery time between the two fixtures - which is why the club decided not to take their coach 'which uses sustainable fuels'.
Klopp has long been critical of the fixture list in English football and recently questioned the FA Cup scheduling.
The 55-year-old said: 'In our tight schedule, I am not sure FA Cup should have a weekend matchday but we have it. We deal with it. It's good to prepare but it makes things more difficult.'
It is therefore no surprise that the Liverpool head-coach is looking to seek every possible opportunity to ensure his players can perform at their peak in their game against Real Madrid.
The game represents a rematch of the 2022 Champions League final where Real Madrid were 1-0 winners.
Vinicius Junior scored the one, and only, goal of the game as Liverpool failed to get their hands on the Champions League trophy.
Klopp's side have not been at their best this season but will be hoping the 2-0 win against high-flying Newcastle will give them some momentum going into the tie.
Real Madrid are also coming off the back of their victory in the Club World Cup as they look to win the Champions League in back-to-back seasons.
gorang1
467
I swear to god every other manager moans about the epl fixture but ETH doesn't say a single word about it even though we have been playing a game every 3 days since the World Cup.
IPEN17
394
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Shauny300
285
I swear people be mad everyday about nonsense billionaires literally takes 15/20 mins flight everyday celebrities do it so why complain about a club that do it smh nowadays people don’t know to just simple shut up
SwizeeTYSON
160
Can someone tell Mr Klopp that in Africa young children play soccer from 8am to 16pm a day, while you have three days and there is plane involved
ElmanderElmanuel
22
This article just demonstrated the number of f00lish people we have here. People are complaining about Liverpool taking flight home from Newcastle, and Klopp said the reason for it is because he want maximum time for his players to rest and recover for the next game and all y’all 1d10ts can say is that he is complaining. To stewpid people that looks like a complaint? What’s wrong if he decide to take flight instead of bus? Here in Nigeria, Politician takes flight to avoid road stress. If you can afford the price, why the need to go through the stress? I don’t know how you all reason like someone without bra1n for you to make conclusion that he is complaining. Is that a complaint once again?😏
FAB-KOP
21
Can someone tell Mr Klopp that in Africa young children play soccer from 8am to 16pm a day, while you have three days and there is plane involved
So does in every part of the country… but to play in high level and to meet expectations for the masses.. recovery is necessary… dont bring the kids play wholeday bullshit… its not kids game brother… this is elite football…
lfc901
11
I swear to god every other manager moans about the epl fixture but ETH doesn't say a single word about it even though we have been playing a game every 3 days since the World Cup.
remember last year when liverpool played every tournament and every possible game? stop moaning you have europa league and fa cup it's not a big deal lol[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Kevin201
9
Can someone tell Mr Klopp that in Africa young children play soccer from 8am to 16pm a day, while you have three days and there is plane involved
WTF is 16 PM? Is the earth bigger in Africa? 😂