Jürgen Klopp has announced that his first team will miss the FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury as the scheduling eats into the new winter break.
Klopp made nine changes to his side in the draw against Shrewsbury on Sunday and may have to go with a similar lineup or even a weaker one when Shrewsbury travel to Anfield for the replay.
The winter break will run between 2 February to 16 of February.
“I said to the boys already two weeks ago that we will have a winter break, which means we will not be there,” said Klopp.
“You cannot deal with us like nobody cares about it. I know that it’s not very popular but that’s the way I see it.
“The Premier League asked us to respect the winter break. That’s what we do. If the FA doesn’t respect that, then we cannot change it. We will not be there.”
The said “it will be the kids who play”.
“We have to respect the players’ welfare. They need a rest. They need a mental rest, a physical rest, and that’s what the winter break is all about,” said Klopp.
“We had to make these decisions beforehand because these boys have families.”
Newcastle will travel to Oxford after a 0-0 draw at St James’ Park.
Tottenham and Southampton will have to meet again after drawing 1-1 on the south coast, with the date currently set for Wednesday, 5 February.
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