Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp accuses FA of handling Jordan Rossiter 'like a horse'
Newly appointed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was furious when midfielder Jordan Rossiter picked up a hamstring injury after playing three games in five days for the England U19s. Klopp is seeking urgent talks with the Football Association for treating his player ‘like a horse’, as per the reports on ESPN.
The 18-year-old played against Macedonia, Finland and Italy in the European U19 championship, but Aidy Boothroyd, the head coach of the U19s team, sent the youngster back to Anfield with an injury. Rossiter’s return date has not been announced, but he is likely to be sidelined for at least a month with a grade two hamstring injury.
“This is a special story I would say,” Klopp said. “I have never heard of such a young player being asked to play three games in five days.
“I don’t know who I need to speak to about this, but people from the club will be contacting the FA because this is not OK.
While Klopp did not want to get in trouble with the FA after just one game in charge with his new club, he was adamant that what was done was simply unacceptable.
“I did not want to start my first week at Melwood with a complaint, but it cannot be normal to play three games in five days, even in England,” he continued.
“What can I say? These young players are our future. If we handle them like horses then we get horses. We would prefer them to have time to develop and not feel too much pressure. Three games in five days for an 18-year-old is just wrong.”
Due to the injury, Rossiter has been ruled out for Liverpool’s Europa League clash against Rubin Kazan on Thursday. The fixture will mark Klopp’s first game at Anfield, and a fit Rossiter might have been named in the manager’s starting lineup.
The Reds already have a long list of casualties this season, and the youngster is the latest player to join the list. Other players include Daniel Sturridge, Chrisitan Benteke, Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino who are confirmed to be out of the reckoning for the upcoming match.
Extra atmosphere at Anfield will be welcome: Klopp
Ahead of his first game at Anfield, the former Borussia Dortmund manager is looking forward to experiencing European football nights at Merseyside. The Reds played a dull draw against FC Sion of Switzerland in their last Europa League game, but Klopp believes the Anfield faithful will rise to the occasion.
“Extra atmosphere will be very welcome,” Klopp said.
“If people want to shout louder than ever before then try it, I can promise it will not affect our concentration.”
“All I ask is for a little time and patience, I know there is a lot of anticipation surrounding the game but I hope no one is expecting it to be 4-0 after three minutes.”