Jurgen Klopp didn’t hold back. The Liverpool manager had plenty he wanted to get off his chest during Friday’s press conference at Melwood. Klopp was asked by The Athletic’s James Pearce for his take on the decision to move the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon from June and July to January and February, given that they face losing the trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for up to six weeks in the middle of next season.



The German’s detailed, passionate riposte lasted seven and a half minutes and contained 1,043 words.



James Pearce: Jurgen, what do you make of the decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations from the summer to mid-season in 2021 and what do you think the implications will be for Liverpool?



Jurgen Klopp: “You really want to open this book now? So, I couldn’t respect the African Cup of Nations more than I do because I like the competition. I watched it a lot in the past in my life. Very...