Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has expressed his frustration over the scheduling of their upcoming Premier League clash against league leaders Manchester City. This will be the third consecutive time this season that Liverpool will have to play the early kick-off slot of 12:30pm following an international break.

Klopp's side secured a convincing 3-0 victory against Brentford on Sunday, moving them up to the second spot in the league table. However, the preparations for the highly anticipated match against Manchester City are far from ideal, with several Liverpool players away on national team duty.

"The boys responded sensationally well, but now they all go and when we come back we can only train once before we play Man City," Klopp expressed his concerns. He further criticized the decision-makers, stating, "Honestly, the people making these decisions, they cannot feel football, it is just not possible."

The scheduling is particularly problematic due to the sheer number of international players on both teams. Klopp highlighted that all the South American players will be returning together on the same plane from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. He described the situation as "mad" but acknowledged that Liverpool has to ensure they are ready for the game.

The match between Liverpool and Manchester City will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and was announced earlier in October as part of the television picks for the 13th round of matches. Interestingly, Arsenal's trip to Brentford will take place later that day at 5:30pm GMT.

This isn't the first time Klopp has voiced his frustration over the early Saturday kick-off following an international break. He previously emphasized the lack of recovery time and the impact it has on the players. However, Klopp noted that despite raising concerns, nothing seems to change. He emphasized, "They just don't give a 'bleep' about that."

Liverpool has had a history of struggling in the 12:30pm slot. Last season, they played six matches at this time and failed to win any, earning just three points out of a possible 18. Surprisingly, their opponents in these matches were not all from the top end of the table. Only Manchester City, who beat Liverpool 4-1, finished in the top nine. The other opponents were Fulham, Everton, Chelsea (all draws), Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth (both defeats).

During Klopp's tenure, Liverpool has faced the burden of playing the Saturday lunchtime kick-off following an international break on 14 occasions, more than double the number faced by any other top-flight club. Tottenham and Chelsea have encountered this scenario six times, while Manchester United and Manchester City have experienced it five and four times, respectively.

As Liverpool gears up for their clash with Manchester City, Klopp's criticisms of the scheduling continue to highlight the challenges his team faces in maintaining a competitive edge following international breaks. Whether his concerns will be addressed remains to be seen, but for now, Liverpool will have to adapt and focus on the important match ahead.