Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp furious over rescheduled Merseyside derby after drawing Manchester City in Europe

Liverpool’s trip to Goodison Park to face Everton, which will televised by Sky Sports, has been moved to a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday 7 April – 63 hours after playing City

Furious Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has criticised the rescheduling of the Merseyside derby in the wake of being drawn against Manchester City in the Champions League.

Klopp’s side will face City in the first leg of their European Cup tie at Anfield on Wednesday 4 April, with the return at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 10 April.

As a result, Liverpool’s trip to Goodison Park to face Everton, which will televised by Sky Sports, has been moved to a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday 7 April – 63 hours later. Pep Guardiola’s City face rivals Manchester United on the same day at 5.30pm on a day they could clinch the Premier League title.

Klopp is particularly incensed with the disruption the early start will have on Liverpool’s training and preparation for the clash with Everton.

He said: “There will be a point when I am looking forward to the Manchester City game but at the moment I am already angry because I heard a second ago the Premier League will put our game against Everton at 12.30 on the middle Saturday.

“I know countries where they cancel whole match days so teams can be in the best shape. We play Wednesday night against Man City and then play Everton at 12.30 three days later. That is not too cool but obviously we have to go the hard way, I am used to that.

“We play Wednesday night and then 12.30 means the players get up on Thursday and have lunch or breakfast and then we train and next day we are second-day recovery and then you start at 12.30. It is not perfect. We take it like it is but if I cannot be angry about something like that any more and have to be politically correct and say nothing then I am dead because that doesn’t work.”

Liverpool have a busy run of fixtures in April (Getty Images)

At one point Klopp had to stop himself from swearing as he voiced his anger at the Premier League and broadcasters when asked when he would like the game to be played.

“No, I’d like it at nine o’clock in the morning. What the f...?” Klopp said sarcastically. “At three o’clock, normal game. Usually it was Sunday, quarter-past two. Put it on at a normal time and not at breakfast.

“It is a very intense game against Manchester City and it is only the first one because the next one to follow will not be a lot less intense. We have to do it and we have to deliver. I am not happy about that. Obviously whoever made the schedule didn’t think we’d go to the quarter-finals because it (the derby) was a Sunday game. Oops. It is only Liverpool...I cannot see differently.

“We play at 7.45 on Wednesday night and 12.30 on Saturday. The other team (City) plays at 5.30. Can you imagine how big the difference is in these five hours it means the world in preparation and recovery?”

Klopp believes City will not be particularly happy at having been paired with his side given their poor record at Anfield in particular.

“I saw (City’s director of football) Txiki Begiristain’s face after the draw and it didn’t look like it was Christmas and Easter on the same day,” Klopp added. “I think it is an absolute dream draw – for all Manchester United fans. I knew it would be difficult and that is difficult. The good news is for Manchester City it will be difficult as well.”

Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Watford in the Premier League on Saturday although youngster Ben Woodburn remains absent with a calf injury.