JURGEN KLOPP playfully took out his fixture frustrations by grabbing a reporter in a HEADLOCK.
The German’s Liverpool side are preparing to face Manchester City on Saturday in a game that could have a huge say in the title race.
AFPJurgen Klopp is fuming over the 12:30 kick-off for Liverpool’s trip to Man City[/caption]
X @SkySportsPLHe jokingly took out his fury on a Sky Sports reporter today[/caption]
However, Klopp was fuming after the Premier League showdown was picked for the 12:30pm TV slot.
This will be the third-straight time Liverpool are in the early kick-off straight after an international break.
Both the Reds and City had South American internationals involved in World Cup qualifiers for the likes of Brazil and Argentina just over 72 hours before the game gets underway.
Klopp did not hold back as he blasted TV companies and Premier League chiefs over the scheduling of the bumper clash – despite recent fan troubles during previous fixtures between the pair being cited for the early start.
And the former Borussia Dortmund coach decided to jokingly take matters into his own hands when he spotted Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor at their training ground during this morning’s session.
Klopp grabbed the reporter in a playful headlock before delivering a soft jab to his gut and said: “Thank you for the 12.30!”
The clip was then shared by the broadcaster later in the day as O’Connor joked that Klopp was in a “playful mood” before adding: “There was one little moment that was a potential red card, I would argue!”
Sky Sports requested that the game kick-off at 5:30pm, only for that to be rejected by police.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
That led to them and TNT Sports, who are screening Brentford versus Arsenal, swapping slots with their chosen game now taking the tea time slot after the TV companies swapped.
Manchester City go into the Liverpool game sitting top of the table on 28 points, a point ahead of the second-placed Merseysiders.
But Klopp’s men will overtake them with victory, although Arsenal could end the day top should they win and City and Liverpool draw.