Klopp Talk: Brazilian Players May Not Be Available for Leeds

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Leeds game, Jurgen Klopp could not offer much good news about the possibility of the Brazilian players Fabinho, Alisson and Bobby Firmino being available to play. The ongoing tussle with the Brazilian FA is punishing the players, said Klopp. Some of his comments are as follows.

On the Brazilian situation:

“I don’t know in the moment. There are meetings going on.

“The real punishment would be for the players. They wouldn’t be able to do what they love to do - play. Footballers previously have had exemptions but there was no solution. We get tested 3 times a week.

“There’s no sport in the world with such a relentless calendar. Certainly not a more physical sport. At some point someone has to start understanding that without the players - the most important ingredient - then we cannot play. It’s all about money.

“Bobby will not be available because of the injury from the last game. It’s a really difficult situation, tricky for the club and the players. The clubs wanted to let the players go but it just wasn’t possible.”

On Trent Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder:

“Why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder? I just don’t understand that. Some people think because he’d be 10 yards further up the field he would be more influential. We always use him as good as we can.”