No need to guess what Jurgen Klopp’s reaction was to a latest Liverpool injury.
We know exactly what he thinks after his eruption following Sunday’s draw with Manchester City and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s damaged calf.
Klopp predicted further injuries, telling reporters “Trent will be out for England. We don’t know what he has but he cannot play for England. He won’t be the last one or only one Gareth [Southgate] will miss for this international break.”
So the call to Liverpool’s manager on Wednesday after Joe Gomez broke down in training, will not have been relished by anyone within the FA.
Tensions between clubs and country are traditionally fraught enough. But amid a pandemic, condensed fixture schedule and growing concerns about player safety, they will be pushed to the very limit.
The wisdom of a friendly with the Republic of Ireland is sure to be at the top of the agenda for Premier League managers still seething over the decision to abandon the five-subs rule.
And the ongoing demands on players on top of an already hectic fixture list will spark further fury.
We are reaching that point of the campaign where the likes of Klopp and Pep Guardiola point to the unrealistic pressures on professional athletes.
The festive schedule is cherished by fans in this country, but dreaded by managers who believe it is a ticking time bomb in terms of serious injury.
The only difference this year is that a Covid-19-impacted season has brought forward their chorus of complaints.
Guardiola cited the NBA and Lebron James getting a two-month holiday after the basketball season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer slammed broadcasters and Klopp turned his fire on Richard Masters and a “lack of leadership” in the Premier League.
Klopp continued: “Richard Masters sold [five-subs rule] completely wrong, that’s my understanding. The teams had to understand why it’s so helpful. It’s not an advantage, it’s a necessity. It’s in all other countries, it happens.”
That was before Gomez’s injury and the fixture pile-up awaiting between now and the end of the season.
England haven’t even played a game yet and they’re already a man down. By the end of the international break, the battle between club vs country could be at its most intense.
