Jurgen Klopp did not back down in his criticism of the Nations League yesterday, insisting that there is no space in the calendar for more competitive football.
The Liverpool boss called UEFA’s new tournament ‘the most senseless competition in football’ ahead of the recent international break.
Though he believes it is a good idea, he maintained that players are in danger of burnout without getting a proper chance to rest and recover.
He said ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Huddersfield at the weekend: ‘Do you want opera every night or every two months?
“I like big competitions but at some point everyone has to step back. The Nations League is a good idea but do it in another sport because in football there is no space for it.’
“You don’t want to see Anthony Joshua fighting every other night. That’s not possible. In no other sports — the American football has a real, proper break.
“Basketball they have a summer league. Only football. Everyone wants big competitions where you can get relegated, promoted, playing for something.
“I like competition but at one point somebody has to step back and think they are players, how can we make sure they perform?
“I may as well have said it to the coffee machine. No-one is interested.’