Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp sends a warning to Kop stars after reversing a ‘silly’ decision

JURGEN KLOPP  has reversed a "silly" decision and will allow Liverpool’s players not involved in international football this week to enjoy a much-needed rest.

James Milner, Emre Can, Loris Karius, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno will all be given time away from the Melwood training ground – but have been warned by Klopp to ‘maintain their own fitness levels’.

When he arrived at Liverpool a year ago, Klopp confirmed he would cut back the amount of slow days allowed under former boss Brendan Rodgers.

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Now, after the Reds went top of the Premier League with to the 6-1 hammering of Watford, he has made a U-turn.

Liverpool’s high-pressing style and the intense nature of the Premier League has led Klopp to realise the benefits of allowing his players rest during international breaks.

Said Klopp: “I don’t need a break but we won’t have a lot of players here. When I came here the players had a few days off. I changed it and said: ‘How can they have three or four days off or something?’

“It was a silly decision. It’s only because I was not used to it. Now we are proper English coaches, we know about the fixtures, the intensity of the next few months. Each possibility for a little break, you have to use. That’s what we have to do.

“They still have a programme — to train and stay fit. Not all of them can go wherever they want because if you’re a bit injured you have to be here.

“But a real training session does not make sense with five or six players. A few days off and then we’ll start again.

“We will try to have a game behind closed doors. The result of that won’t be important but it’s an opportunity for us to give players match time.

“From Sunday or Monday onwards, when the international players start to come back, we will prepare for the next game.”