Arne Slot aims thinly-veiled dig at Jurgen Klopp with 'stupid manager' claim

Arne Slot has hit out at Liverpool predecessor Jurgen Klopp over the German's criticism of lunchtime kick-offs as the Reds prepare to travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday

Arne Slot has made a clear break from Liverpool predecessor Jurgen Klopp by insisting he has no problem with lunchtime kick-offs.

Klopp frequently hit out at the Saturday slot and had several run-ins with TNT Sport, who screen those matches. The German left his role as Liverpool boss at the end of last season to be replaced by Slot.

But the Dutchman does not hold the same resentment towards the Saturday kick-off time, which was agreed by all 20 Premier League clubs. Instead, he joked that he starts his training sessions at 12pm every day, suggesting he would be considered 'stupid' if he then complained about lunchtime kick-offs.

"I think the league I come from, they are more aware and try to help teams in Europe but to be fair to English FA our schedule is tight so it is difficult. It has a lot to do with TV stations, feels like I do an interview every day. I think they can pick a team for 12:30pm, so they choose Liverpool," Slot said.

"Every away game is difficult. Ten of 18 away games didn't lead to a win (last week). People talk about 12:30pm, we talk about difficult away games. If 12:30pm was a difficult time to perform then I am a stupid manager because I train every day at midday!"

Klopp mainly hit out at the lunchtime kick-offs when his side had played the previous Wednesday or the Premier League was returing from an international break. In September 2023, he branded the decision to play Liverpool in that slot as a 'joke.

“We have four international breaks by March and for two of them we already have the 12.30 kick-off. If I say a word about it then the world says, ‘He’s moaning again’. This is a joke. We had four players in South America who I haven’t even seen yet. In 24 hours we play," he said.

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Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images) Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“But it’s like it is and we cannot change it. We will never change that, whoever we talk to. Now the TV channel has a different name, but obviously it doesn’t change anything at all. They don’t give a… so why should I talk about that? We didn’t think about it.

“Playing at that time is not a problem if it’s a normal week, we’ve always said that. It’s easy to adapt. The only problem is the lack of recovery time. In the moment someone like you sits there and gives me this feeling, ‘So what exactly is the problem with 12.30?'.”

"Is it because it’s lunchtime or could it be the lack of time between the games and intensity of the travel? Make your own opinion about it this time without a source.”

Slot has led Liverpool in one 12.30pm kick-off already, when his side beat newly-promoted Ipswich Town on the opening day. They face Palace at Selhurst Park having beaten Bologna in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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