‘You did it!’: Jurgen Klopp blames broadcasters in on-air argument after injury to Liverpool’s James Milner

A late penalty and two goals disallowed by VAR offside calls deprived Klopp’s team of a win

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager (Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp has continued to express his dissatisfaction with being asked to play Wednesday night and early on Saturday, in an on-air discussion with BT Sport’s Des Kelly.

Liverpool were held 1-1 by Brighton at the Amex Stadium, with the 12:30pm kick-off taking place just two-and-a-half days after the Reds’ Champions League match against Atalanta ended.

While not suggesting the short turnaroud was responsible for the result, Klopp became riled when it was pointed out that he had lost another player to injury, in this case James Milner.

READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table - all matches by date and kick-off time

"Milner['s injury] is a hamstring. Congratulations. Maybe ask Chris Wilder about it. [BT] picked the 12.30 kick-off. You did it!" he said in his post-match interview.

After then being accused of “attacking the broadcasters,” Klopp clarified that his issue with them was simply Liverpool being frequently picked for the Saturday, 12:30pm slot.

"This season it’s a bigger problem because of no pre-season, the intensity, the shorter season.

“Have a look how many until this year is over we had this slot three times. Who else had it three times? Nobody. So of course it’s a problem for me because I have to pick the team.”

Liverpool are due to play again in the same early kick-off slot in mid-December against Crystal Palace, following a Wednesday night match against Tottenham.

They have suffered a series of injuries in recent weeks, with Milner’s on Saturday adding to the absences of Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara.

The draw against Brighton sent the Reds top of the table, until Sunday at least.

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