Liverpool Coach Jurgen Klopp has described the decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations back to January a “catastrophe”, MySportDab reports.
But Klopp is determined that the change in dates won’t force the club to sell their top African stars in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
European clubs were delighted in 2019 when the Africa Cup of Nations last year was moved to take place in the summer in Egypt.
MySportDab understands now the Confederation of African Football have decided to change back the date to the winter months for the 2021 tournament being hosted by Cameroon.
This means some of Europe’s best players will be unavailable for their clubs during a busy mid-season period.
Liverpool are expected to be badly affected with the likes of Salah, Mane and Naby Keita expected to represent their countries at the tournament.
That would leave Klopp without three of his key first team players for up to likely six weeks.
And the Liverpool boss is disappointed at the decision of the Confederation of African Football.
“I have always respected the Africa Cup of Nations because I like the competition,” he said.
“But it is a huge problem problem that you play a tournament midway into the season.
“The African Cup of Nations being move back to January is a catastrophe.
“On top of that we can’t say ‘We don’t let him go’ the player is suspended.
“How is it possible that the club who pays the player cannot decide that the player has to stay or go?
“But I speak here about it. This is the biggest waste of time ever. The Moaner from Liverpool or however is it called is again on track.”
