Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is resorting to industrial action to force change after his side drew 2-2 with Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.
The draw means that a replay will have to be rescheduled it, and that will fall slap bang in the middle of a break period for the Reds.
Because the side threw away a 2-0 lead, Liverpool will now have to go again on February 4th – which is supposed to be when Klopp’s men are away on a holiday they were promised because of their efforts so far this season.
The Reds have a break from the 2nd Feb – 16th and the replay falls right in the middle of it. The Mirror has reported that Klopp insists he won’t manage the clash, nor will any of his senior players take part.
This decision is tantamount to industrial action. Klopp has gone on strike to try and force a changing of the rules.
He has talked about the lengthy schedule and the impact it has on his players on more than one occasion and by refusing to field a senior side the German is taking things into his own hands.
In some respects, he is right with what he says. The FA asked clubs not to schedule any international friendlies during this period and to use it for rest: so why do they feel the need to put FA cup replays during this time?
On the other hand, Klopp is potentially throwing the away the chance of progression in this competition – just like he did for the Carabao Cup. While Liverpool beat Everton with a young team, this next game will be nothing like that.
There will be no senior players, does that mean Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will also miss out? There will be no leadership, no experience and a hard slog in front of them.
Klopp is going on strike to try and force change from the FA, but unless other managers join him he is fighting a losing battle.