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Liverpool's crazy festive fixture pile-up in detail as Champions League gives Jurgen Klopp even bigger headache

Just as Jurgen Klopp probably thought Liverpool's crazy festive fixture pile-up couldn't get any worse, it did, as their Champions League draw with Napoli gave the boss another headache.

The Reds have begun an incredibly demanding period over Christmas and the New Year, which will see them play up to 14 matches in less than two months.

That works out at a game EVERY THREE OR FOUR DAYS… for seven weeks straight.

Jurgen Klopp is pulling his hair out at how he will manage his team over their crazy two-month period

But failing to beat Napoli – the teams drawing 1-1 at Anfield – means Liverpool must now go to Red Bull Salzburg in their final Group E match and get a point to ensure progress to the knockout stage.

A victory and a final group game dead rubber would have made things much easier for Klopp, but as qualification is still not guaranteed he now cannot afford to rest his star players.

And that means Liverpool's squad will be put under even more strain as they aim to keep battling in their cup competitions while maintaining their Premier League title bid.

Klopp's problems are merely a symptom of Liverpool's success. The club are still fighting in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but being crowned European champions for the sixth time last season means they will also take part in the FIFA Club World Cup this term.

That tournament clashes with the Carabao Cup, which means the Reds will be forced to play two squads in the space of 24 hours in two different continents, with their quarter-final tie against Aston Villa coming less than 24 hours before their Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar.

All added up, it will see Liverpool play six midweek fixtures in a row until January 2, while also playing over seven consecutive weekends.

Below you can see their jam-packed schedule during the festive period:

Liverpool's frantic festive pile-up

November 23: Crystal Palace (2-1 win – Premier League)

November 27: Napoli (1-1 draw – Champions League)

November 30: Brighton (H – Premier League)

December 4: Everton (H – Premier League)

December 7: Bournemouth (A – Premier League)

December 10: RB Salzburg (A – Champions League)

December 14: Watford (H – Premier League)

December 17: Aston Villa (A – Carabao Cup)

December 18: Club World Cup semi-final

December 21: Club World Cup third place play-off/final

December 26: Leicester (A – Premier League)

December 29: Wolves (H – Premier League)

January 2: Sheffield United (H – Premier League)

January 3-6: FA Cup Third Round

It's a total nightmare for the Merseyside club, but Klopp at least has a big squad to call upon to keep his key XI fairly well-rested.

The manager was forced to field a young and inexperienced team for their Carabao Cup fifth round win over Arsenal, with four teenagers named in the starting XI – their youngest in any competition since January 2017, with an average age of 23 years and 122 days.

And it appears the likes of 16-year-old Harvey Elliott, 17-year-old Sepp van den Berg, 18-year-olds Neco Williams and Curtis Jones and 19-year-old Rhian Brewster may be seeing more game time in the coming months as Liverpool embark on their manic two months.

Those youngsters will be trusted again for their quarter-final clash at Villa Park, with Under-23s coach Neil Critchley set to take charge of the team while Klopp is in Qatar with his first team stars.

Liverpool's starlets may be getting more game time over the next seven weeks

Meanwhile, Liverpool's key first XI will have to dig deep to keep their Premier League title dreams alive, with the Reds eight points clear at the top of the table and with fans desperate to end their long 30-year wait to be English champions.

A bonus for Klopp, at least, is that Kopites won't need to be appeased by bringing home a cup this season, having been crowned six-time European champions last term.

Many may even feel the coach should just save his main starting XI for the league, and fill out his teams in the Champions League and other cup competitions with squad players to ensure they finally bring the Premier League title home this term.

Source: https://talksport.com/football/622984/liverpool-fixture-schedule-champions-league-jurgen-klopp/

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