Jurgen Klopp doesn’t like early kickoffs, he’s regularly told us as much in press conferences, and his record in such games as Liverpool manager is relegation form.
This season, his side have played eight times in games at either 12.30pm or 1.30pm, winning just once – at Crystal Palace.
They’ve lost two and drawn five others – dropping points against Watford, Everton, West Brom and Stoke, as well as Man United (twice) and Man City.
One win in eight games gives Klopp’s side a 20% win rate in early kick offs this season, and it’s not much better if we go back throughout Klopp’s time at Liverpool, with a win percentage of just 30.8% overall.
In total, Liverpool have played 26 times in games at either 12.30pm or 1.30pm, winning just eight.
Speaking in March, Klopp bemoaned his team seemingly playing more in these early kickoffs than other sides: “We have another 12:30 after the international break. How often has that happened [to other teams]?”
Back in January he said: “I like night games, Saturday night is in general a night people don’t go to bed too early, it’s a good time to play football.
“Much better than at 12 — I’m hungry at 12, not at 7:45!”
Whatever the reasons for this form, it’s something Klopp must address ahead of next season.
Liverpool’s Early Kick-Offs Under Klopp
2015/16
Spurs 0-0 draw
Chelsea 3-1 win
Watford 3-0 loss
West Ham 2-0 loss
Norwich 5-4 win
Palace 2-1 win
Southampton 3-2 loss
Bournemouth 2-1 win
Swansea 3-1 loss
2016/17
Spurs 1-1 draw
Swansea 2-1 win
Bournemouth 4-3 loss
Plymouth 0-0 draw
Swansea 3-2 loss
Wolves 2-1 loss
Everton 3-1 win
West Brom 1-0 win
Southampton 0-0 draw
2017/18
Watford 3-3 draw
Man City 5-0 loss
Man United 0-0 draw
Man United 2-1 loss
Crystal Palace 2-1 win
Everton 0-0 draw
West Brom 2-2 draw
Stoke 0-0 draw
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