Liverpool face rebuke from FA who say clubs were aware of plans for potential Cup replays at start of season

The Football Association issued a public slap down aimed at Liverpool and other critics on Monday after Jürgen Klopp attacked the governing body for arranging FA Cup replays during the new winter break.

Liverpool, held to a draw after fielding a weakened side at Shrewsbury Town on Sunday, were among clubs to accept in the summer that a potential fourth round replay would shorten their new rest period, the FA has said.

It comes after Klopp suggested the FA was to blame as he explained why he and his first-team players will not be involved at all in the replay at Anfield next week. "The Premier League asked us to respect the winter break," he said. "That's what we do. If the FA doesn't respect that, then we cannot change it. We will not be there."

The governing body is understood to be particularly taken aback by criticism given it had been one of the original champions for giving players time off midway through the season.

In a statement sent to Telegraph Sport, the FA said: "The FA went to great lengths to create an annual mid-season player break, working closely with the Premier League and its clubs. It is a new and significant addition to the English football calendar and is designed to benefit clubs and their players."

The FA added that it had already rescheduled the fifth round matches to midweek and removed fifth round replays from the calendar to help give players a break. "This allowed the Premier League room in its calendar to have a split round of fixtures over two weekends," the statement added.  

"Prior to start of the 2019/20 season, all clubs accepted that Emirates FA Cup fourth round replays, where required, would have to take place during the first week of the mid-season player break. This will only affect a small number of clubs due to the split of Premier League fixtures in the mid-season player break."

Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton all need replays, scheduled for Feb 4 and 5, which cut into the new mid-season break which runs between February 2 and 16.

To protect his senior players, Klopp said it "will be the kids who play" against Shrewsbury, and he confirmed that reserve coach Neil Critchley will lead them from the touchline. The Premier League leaders, who surrendered a two-goal advantage against the League One side on Sunday after Klopp had made nine changes, consider the pre-season warning as a "moot" point. Liverpool believe they are acting in line with a previous letter from the Premier League in March last year which said the break should be protected from friendly and competitive matches.

The letter it sent out towards the end of last season said: "Clubs are expected to honour and respect the underlining rationale for the mid-season player break, namely to provide their players with a break from the physical and mental rigours of playing matches during the season. Clubs should not arrange competitive or friendly matches with other clubs during the mid-season player break."

Greg Dyke, the former FA chairman, says Premier League teams playing weakened sides in the competition was a serious concern for cup. “What I thought was disappointing about the fourth round was how many clubs put out what were effectively second teams,” Dyke said. “I know the FA are quite worried about it because if you are putting a big match on TV and it looks like two reserve teams then that can be a problem for broadcasting rights in the longer term.”

Andy Holt, the Accrington Stanley chairman, called for Liverpool to face disciplinary action, but the FA is powerless to challenge their decision. Holt tweeted: “This is a battle the Premier League must win, or they should shut up shop. LFC need censuring and fining heavily. It’s not their football. It’s ours.”

The Premier League, meanwhile, has distanced itself from any potential row, saying it only has powers surrounding its own fixture calendar.

Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton will have a ten or 11-day break next month, while other top-flight sides will enjoy as many as 16 days off.

The league's first winter break is staggered in order that there is no blank weekend for broadcasters. The FA is likely to discuss the issue later this week at its board meeting.
Source.liverpoolfc.com