Arne Slot aims a thinly-veiled dig at his Liverpool predecessor Jurgen Klopp and claims he’d be a ‘STUPID manager’ if he thought 12:30 kick-offs were more difficult

Arne Slot does not agree that his Liverpool side will find it difficult to perform in 12:30pm kick-offs, instead believing the challenge comes in the Premier League’s tough away days.

The Dutchman’s assessment is a departure from the stance taken by former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who famously railed against his side’s frequent selection for that fixture slot.

The Anfield club travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in what will be Slot’s first experience of the early game after a Champions League fixture. 

And despite admitting that the Premier League offers less ‘help’ to teams in European competition than the Eredivisie, he refused to allow it to be used as an excuse. 

‘I don’t think it has so much to do with the 12.30 kick-offs. For me, it is that every away game is difficult.’ He said ahead of the game against Crystal Palace. ‘Because we play so many times then at 12.30, people talk about 12.30.

Former boss Jurgen Klopp famously railed against Liverpool’s frequent selection for the slot 

‘I think we have to talk about an away game because that is difficult. If 12.30 was a difficult time to perform, then I’m a really stupid manager because we train every day at 12 o’clock!

‘I don’t see the idea behind it being that difficult performing at that time.’

Klopp infamously took aim at the league and broadcasters earlier this year when he described the scheduling as a ‘crime’.

‘I was actually waiting for Amnesty International to go to them.’ He told reporters in May. 

‘I would like to be part of that meeting when someone says “Liverpool 12:30’ and the whole room is bursting into laughter”.’ 

Slot will hope that his confidence does not come back to bite him with his team currently riding high at the top of the Premier League with five wins from their six games. 

Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday where they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the early game of the weekend in December 2023

The Reds’ 2-0 Champions League win over Bologna in midweek saw Slot make history as the manager to record the best-ever start at the club. The Merseyside outfit meet a Palace side still looking for their first win this term. 

Oliver Glasner’s team, who sit 18th in the division, suffered defeat by Everton last time out.