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via Reuters

via Reuters

The form displayed by Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool is right up there with the best. The amount of players who can provide a telling difference is outstanding. Nevertheless, these three teams are on everyone’s lips of winning the UEFA Champions League title along with Bayern Munich. Thus, the African Nations Cup in January may derail their plans this season as they would lose key players to the tournament. But, a recent controversy saw Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp not favoring the tournament.

However, he spoke about his words being misinterpreted as he pledge his innocence during a press conference.

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Jurgen Klopp voices out on his critics

When the reporter asked him to owe an apology, Klopp opened up on not causing any grievance to the continent or its organizers.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t know why you understand it like that. It’s not even close to the idea in my mind that I want to talk about AFCON as a little tournament, or the continent of Africa like a little continent, not at all.”

“I said ‘there’s no international break anymore until March’ and I said: ‘Oh and there’s a little tournament in January,’ and I didn’t mean a little tournament, just like you say it when there’s still a tournament. It’s ironic. There’s still a tournament. A big one. We lose our best players to the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Klopp.

 

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Earlier, the manager spoke about how the international break derailed the plans and was thankful that breaks are happening until March. However, while explaining the situation, Klopp spoke about the ‘little tournament’ happening in Africa, as well as, other tournaments in Asia and South America. There were no other intentions involved when mentioning the AFCON tournament. Hence, Klopp had a row with one reporter regarding the problem.

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Liverpool will miss key players

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Due to the African Cup of Nations, the big-three clubs in England will lose key players. The most affected club would obviously be Liverpool. They are set to miss three key players in Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita. On the other hand, Chelsea would lose Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech, who has been in stellar form for the club. Last but not the least, Riyad Mahrez would leave to play for Algeria.

via Reuters

However, Liverpool losing Salah and Mane would be a blow to their title ambitions. Salah is putting up monstrous numbers this season scoring 17 goals and 6 assists in 17 matches. Likewise, Mane has found form after being quiet last season as he is turning up in many matches. With the influence these players carry on the pitch, Liverpool would be in serious trouble.

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To solve this mini-crisis, they might need to spend in January. By not spending too much in recent seasons, they must have a good transfer kitty to spend from. Ending on the row between Jurgen Klopp and the reporter, let’s just say that was a little sarcasm from his part.

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