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Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has strongly disagreed with Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp regarding the Club World Cup, ahead of the final between PSG and Chelsea taking place this weekend.
Klopp labeled the competition as "the worst idea ever implemented in football" at the end of last month, despite Salzburg — a Red Bull team — being involved. The German has long advocated for less soccer and more breaks to give the players more time to recover and play at their best when they are in action.
"Everybody is entitled in our world to have an opinion," Wenger said. "But I don’t share the opinion of Jurgen Klopp at all. I feel that the Club World Cup — a real Club World Cup — is needed.
"If you make an inquiry today with all the clubs that were here in this competition, I’m basically sure that 100 per cent of the answers of people would want to do this again.
"So, that’s basically the best answer — it’s not my opinion, it’s not Jurgen Klopp’s opinion — it’s what the clubs who participated in this competition think of this competition, and I’m convinced that it will be very positive."
Wenger wasn't the only FIFA man to hit back at Klopp. Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov was also asked about the German's thoughts, and he issued a clear response.
"I didn't expect this from Jurgen," he said. "I have so much respect for him. He's maybe a little angry that Salzburg isn't participating in the competition because he's the director of Red Bull.
"Before, there were two substitutions and now there are five, which is half the team that can be changed at half-time. Another one in extra time.
"If you complain about that, it seems unfair to me. As if we had never played football or played so many games in a year. They don't complain about earning 20 million a year."
Liverpool was not involved in the competition, which could have a long-term benefit, even if the Reds missed out on substantial prize money. Without being at the tournament, Arne Slot's side has had longer to rejuvenate and will have a full pre-season schedule.
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The Reds begin their pre-season fixtures with a trip to Preston North End this Sunday having had a break of around a month. Chelsea, meanwhile, will only finish last season's commitments a few hours after the final whistle is blown in that match at Deepdale.
Liverpool.com says: The amount of money that players earn is completely irrelevant. At some point, they need a break, otherwise they will be fatigued, which will negatively impact the product that people pay to watch, if nothing else.
Those who are at the Club World Cup (or were but have now been knocked out) will feel that at some point, whether that is at the start of the new season or at a later date. You can't just keep playing forever and expect to feel no tiredness or pick up injuries.
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