Tottenham head coach and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp call for a one-legged semifinal in the Carabao cup.
Spurs defeated West Ham 2-1 in the Carabao cup quarter final to qualify for the semifinal.
Meanwhile, Liverpool got a dramatic win after they defeated Leicester on penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw in 90 minutes.
Speaking after the game Conte said: “Honestly, if I had to decide, maybe it would be to play one game and not two games – especially, I repeat, for the situation we are living – but we have to respect the rules.”
Tottenham just recovered from covid outbreak and must rearrange postponed Premier League games at Brighton and Leicester, plus a trip to Burnley which was called off due to snow at Turf Moor.
Spurs also crashed out of Europa conference league after their game against Rennes was forfeited.
Conte who led Chelsea to win the title in the 2016/17 is looking forward to meet his former Premier League side.
“For sure it will be nice for me,” the Italian said. “I spent two amazing seasons with Chelsea and I enjoyed a lot, but now I am the manager of Tottenham and I am ready to give everything for this club. When you reach the semi-final, for sure in England to lift the trophy is very difficult. You find Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal [in the draw].”
Klopp made 10 changes from Sunday’s draw at Tottenham as Liverpool fought back from 3-1 down to defeat Leicester on penalties and book a last-four tie with Arsenal. The Liverpool manager, who named three academy players in his starting line-up, echoed Conte’s preference for a one-legged semi-final, even if it would mean playing it at the Emirates Stadium.
“I think it would be better with one game absolutely, but obviously what I say is not too important,” Klopp said. “If there are two games, then we will play two games. But it would be helpful if there was only one. The draw has us at Arsenal – I’m fine with that, we play there and see who is better and go for it.”
“I don’t just speak about player welfare this year, I have been speaking about it for six years or maybe longer,” the German added. “If the things I say would help more, I would say it much more often. But it doesn’t help. The only thing I do with these messages is I create headlines. They never arrive at the right places.
“Tomorrow we have a meeting at 4pm but it’s with the Premier League and not with the EFL [who organise the Carabao Cup]. I said it before, I would prefer only one semi-final. But I can’t see any kind of changes actually.”
Meanwhile, Sportscliffs.com reported that the Premier League is set to meet with managers and captain on fixture congestion.
Managers and players are concerned about the number of games schedule for their teams during the Christmas holiday period because of the demands it is putting on squads which have been reduced in size as a result of high cases of corona virus.
They feel they are being put in an unbearable position by being asked to play three games between Boxing Day and January 2 as Premier League rules says teams have to go on with fixtures if they have at least 14 fit players.
Liverpool were one of the clubs who spoke in favour of postponing one round of fixtures at the Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Monday but their call was not backed by the majority of clubs.
Players are unhappy that they have not been consulted more during the latest spike in Covid cases. They feel they should have more of a say about the demands which are being placed on them going forward.
Many managers also want the Premier League to allow them to make five substitutions during games. IFAB gave leagues the option of allowing five substitutes but Premier League clubs decided to stick with three.
Five substitutions were allowed temporarily in the Premier League last year and Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are among the managers who want to be allowed to use two extra substitutes again immediately.
Source: The Guardian
