Jurgen Klopp Responds to Jose Mourinho's Comments on Liverpool's Schedule

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has brushed off comments from Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho suggesting the Anfield outfit might struggle next season because of their busy schedule domestically and in Europe. 

Klopp explained that, while Liverpool were not involved in European competition in 2016-17 when United won the UEFA Europa League, they went all the way to the final of the tournament the season before.

He hinted that the only reason Liverpool did not win the 2015-16 Europa League was because they played a tougher team in the final than United, per Neil Jones in the Liverpool Echo: 

"I'm not interested in what [Mourinho] says. Why should I talk about Manchester United? Jose is talking about us, yes.

"Okay, we had a season like Man United the year before. I don't know if anybody asked us how it feels.

"Sorry that we lost the final. Yes, that's right. We played Sevilla, they played Ajax. That's the difference.

"So we suffered during the season. Right. The Europa League was hard. Yes, Chelsea will feel also the difference, they played something like 13 players last season. But it's also not my problem if they use only 11, well done.

"I don't want to be part of this. I answer if you ask but I am not interested."

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As a result of finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, Liverpool will return to the UEFA Champions League in 2017-18 for the first time since 2014.

The Reds failed to make it out of the group stage of that tournament, a fate they will not wish to befall them again next term.

Given the increase in fixtures and travel that comes with playing in Europe, Liverpool need a stronger and bigger squad than they had last term.

Even with only domestic competitions to contend last term, Klopp's side suffered hugely from fatigue and a lack of depth and dropped away from title contenders to battling to stay in the top four.

They have brought in Mohamed Salah this summer to strengthen their already-fearsome attacking unit:

But midfield and defensive additions are also required if Liverpool are to compete on all fronts next term and prove Mourinho wrong.