Klopp, Mourinho blast Premier League over 'crime' of fixture scheduling

 League leaders Liverpool, who won the Club World Cup title by beating Brazil's Flamengo last Saturday, take on second-placed Leicester City on Thursday and host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but other teams including Manchester City are not as fortunate.

The champions visit Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves on Friday before welcoming Sheffield United on Sunday, prompting manager Pep Guardiola to write to the league to "thank" them for a demanding schedule. "It is absolutely not OK," Klopp told the British media. "There's no reason why more teams do not get more than 48 hours between Premier League games.

"None of the managers have a problem playing on Boxing Day, but playing on the 26th and 28th is a crime. This year we play 26th and 29th and it's like a holiday."

Brighton, Everton, Watford and Manchester United all play twice within 48 hours this week.

"I understand all those saying it shouldn't happen. They're not moaning. They're telling," Klopp added.

"We can say what we want but no one is listening ... sports science gives you nothing to deal with this.

"The body needs a specific amount of time to go again. But we ignore that completely."

Liverpool are looking to increase their 10-point advantage over Leicester, while the Foxes will aim to return to winning ways after their nine-match unbeaten run was ended by City.

Mourinho, meanwhile, was speaking after  .Spurs face Norwich away on Saturday and Mourinho said: "I cannot imagine that these boys can play in less than 48 hours. It is a crime that they are going to play football again in 48 hours. It's against every rule of physiology and biology."

Arsenal came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Boxing Day in Mikel Arteta's first match in charge of the club.

The Emirates side came into this match on the back of a wretched run of results, which had yielded just one win in their past 11 games -- and that was extended to 12 at the Vitality Stadium.

Despite a bright start for Arteta's side Dan Gosling, who recently earned Bournemouth a 1-0 win away at Chelsea, opened the scoring on 35 minutes.

The goal gave Bournemouth positive momentum for the remainder of the half, but it was Arsenal who looked the brighter after the break.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates his equaliser for Arsenal. GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

And they were level on 63 minutes when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finished off at the near post. Arsenal then wasted a host of chances, with Alexandre Lacazette guilty of missing when put through one-on-one, but saw his effort saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Arsenal appeared the likelier team to score next, but it was Bournemouth who then had the ball in the back of the net through Callum Wilson, only to see the goal disallowed for an offside.

The draw meant Arsenal stayed 10th, while Bournemouth remained 16th -- just two points above the relegation zone.

Liverpool's Klopp says hectic festive schedule is a 'crime'

8:05 AM

Dec 26 (Reuters) - Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp has described the Premier League's hectic festive schedule as a "crime" against some teams that are forced to play two matches in the space of 48 hours.

The league leaders, who won the Club World Cup title by beating Brazil's Flamengo last Saturday, take on second-placed Leicester City on Thursday and host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but other teams including Manchester City are not as fortunate.

The champions visit Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves on Friday before welcoming Sheffield United on Sunday, prompting manager Pep Guardiola to write to the league to "thank" them for a demanding schedule.

"It is absolutely not OK," Klopp told the British media. "There's no reason why more teams do not get more than 48 hours between Premier League games.

"None of the managers have a problem playing on Boxing Day, but playing on the 26th and 28th is a crime. This year we play 26th and 29th and it's like a holiday."

The likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton, Watford and Manchester United all play twice within 48 hours this week.

"I understand all those saying it shouldn't happen. They're not moaning. They're telling," Klopp added.

"We can say what we want but no one is listening... sports science gives you nothing to deal with this.

"The body needs a specific amount of time to go again. But we ignore that completely."

Liverpool are looking to increase their 10-point advantage over Leicester, while the Foxes will aim to return to winning ways after their nine-match unbeaten run was ended by City. (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; editing by Richard Pullin)