Klopp: Decision to play FA Cup semi-final at Wembley ‘ridiculous’

Jurgen Klopp says playing the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley – despite there being no direct trains to London – is “one of the most ridiculous stories I ever heard”.

The Reds face City at Wembley on April 16 despite engineering works meaning no trains are running on the West Coast Mainline for the whole Easter weekend.

The FA is putting on free coaches for up to 5,000 Liverpool and City fans but getting to London will undoubtedly be a challenge for supporters with tickets.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson criticised the decision, saying: “I’ve been thinking a bit more about the fans,” he said. “In many ways, it’s their day, and not being able to get down to London for different reasons – the cost of that.

“In my head, it would make sense obviously to change it to a (different) neutral venue, especially with it being two teams from the north-west”.

The mayors of Manchester and Liverpool also signed a joint letter to the FA asking for the game to be moved.

Liverpool boss Klopp went further than Henderson during his press conference on Friday, saying: “It’s one of the most ridiculous stories I ever heard.

“I heard that they know it since 18 months. I’m not sure what the FA thought. No club from the north west will be part of the semi-finals? I really can’t believe that things like this can happen with all the information you have out there.

“I heard the FA – probably we’ll do it as well – put on some coaches on the road, but what is it, usually four and a half hours to London, it will be then 12 probably because all the coaches are in the same direction. It makes absolutely no sense.

“I’m not sure when they had to decide when is the semi-finals. I think there would have been probably another weekend between the Champions League games. At least then all the fans could have gone to Wembley and now they can’t, or it’s more difficult.

“On the other hand, how I know our people, they will find a way. I’m just really not happy that somebody made it complicated for them. It should be easier to go and see your football team in a semi-final.”

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