Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp stepped up his criticism of British sports broadcasters for their scheduling of his team's games, linking the injury of midfielder James Milner to their kick-off time during their 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Klopp had already made his feelings known about the decision to have Liverpool play in the Saturday lunchtime slot after they had been in action in the Champions League on Thursday (NZ time).
Asked by BT Sport pitchside interviewer Des Kelly about whether Milner's injury, which led to him going off in the 74th minute, was a hamstring, Klopp said: "Yeah. Congratulations."
When Kelly asked if the German was blaming him personally for the injury, Klopp said: "No, but you work for them. Hamstring, surprise, and they had injuries as well.
"But ask Chris Wilder how we can avoid that."
Sheffield United manager Wilder had been critical of Klopp and other managers of big clubs demanding five substitutes be allowed again in the league, and over other issues.
"He's a world-class manager and a world-class politician, who cares about Liverpool," Wilder had said. "That's all he cares about."
Klopp said that the decision to put Liverpool on early Saturday duty put players at risk.
"After Wednesday, Saturday 12:30 [local time] is really, really dangerous for the players. You don't do that often," he said.
Kelly argued that Liverpool's officials had agreed with other Premier League clubs on the contract for broadcasting slots for games.
Klopp responded that the special situation with a compressed schedule this season required a different approach.
Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City hammered Burnley 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium - the fourth straight time Pep Guardiola's side have beaten the Clarets at home by that scoreline.
The Algerian set City on their way in the sixth minute, finishing off a flowing passing move with his trademark cut in from the left and drive into the far corner.
There was a similar finish for the second after Mahrez picked up the ball in space in the area after Burnley had been caught out by a quick throw in.
Benjamin Mendy made it 3-0 in the 41st, volleying home at the back post after a fine cross from Kevin De Bruyne.
Burnley enjoyed some relief from the pressure after the break with Jay Rodriguez forcing a save out of Ederson with a well-struck effort from a tight angle.
But Ferran Torres then added the fourth goal, slotting home after the overlapping Kyle Walker had found Gabriel Jesus in the box and the Brazilian flicked it to his Spanish team mate to confidently convert.
Mahrez completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, heading home a Phil Foden cross, and it could have been 6-0 had an effort from Jesus not been ruled out for offside by VAR and a shot from De Bruyne not crashed against the post.
Elsewhere, Brazilian winger Raphinha scored his first goal for Leeds United to give his side a 1-0 win against Everton in an eventful Premier League game full of disallowed goals and superb saves at Goodison Park.
Everton's James Rodriguez and Richarlison had the ball in the net in the first half but both efforts were ruled out for offside, and Leeds striker Patrick Bamford suffered a similar fate when he thought he had scored in the 65th minute.
Raphinha, signed from Rennes in October, appeared to be looking for a pass but he checked back, driving the ball between the legs of defender Ben Godfrey and in at the foot of the far post in the 79th minute.
The two teams managed 38 goal attempts in the match but that proved the only one to count and the victory lifted Leeds to 11th place in the table on 14 points. Everton are in sixth place on 16 points.
Sheffield United remain at the bottom of the standings after losing 1-0 to West Brom.
Reuters
