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Klopp happy with UCL draw, worried over international break

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RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOT LIST AND SCRIPT

VIDEO SHOWS: PRESS CONFERENCE WITH LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP / B-ROLL OF KLOPP AT TRAINING

SHOWS: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (FILE) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. JUERGEN KLOPP TAKING TRAINING

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (OCTOBER 2, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING:

"What I can say is all the teams who are in the Champions League, who are in the draw actually, are there for one reason. They are really good at football teams. And that is the main thing, the most important thing to know. Atalanta in the last couple of years for sure was the surprising team in Italy and they have settled in that position and started really well again. Ajax is famous for sensational youth development and football. Yes they have lost at least one or two players but they have brought experience in and changed their philosophy maybe slightly, but it is always about football. So it is very, very interesting group and yeah, lets see. I can't wait actually. And next week I have time to analyse the opponents which is necessary because after the national break we play one of them immediately. We will need a bit of time and I can't wait actually because it is interesting they are all different ways so let's make sure we are ready for them. That is all I can say at the moment."

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (FILE) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

3. JUERGEN KLOPP TAKING TRAINING

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (OCTOBER 2, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING:

"Look, I really don't want to sound disrespectful, and we don't know too much about what other countries are doing and stuff like this. But I think everybody at the moment, you want to have your family around you. Your son or daughter asks you I want to travel there, you would say 'I am not sure if it is the right moment', and it is a little bit like it is with the football players. You want to keep them. I don't say if this is the safest place in the world but it is the place we know at least and we know how to deal with the different situation. The different scenarios."

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING:

"I understand 100 per cent the demands on FAs as well, UEFA, FIFA and all that stuff. I really understand it. I know how difficult a situation it is for everybody. But it is not just exactly perfect, let me say it like this, the information we get from some FAs. It is just not (Klopp makes sighing noise)."

7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP SAYING:

"It is the same. As a football club, you are alone in this moment. You have to make sure you bring the players home in the quickest and most safe way, because nobody helps you. It is not like any FAs tells you ok we pay the private plane or whatever. This is the situation we are in that is one thing. And then they arrive on Friday and then we have to see if we make a test and if we get a result until the Saturday after that. So it is really tricky. So we try everything to make it right and to make it as safe as possible but from time to time, a little bit more help would not be bad."

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (FILE) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

9. JUERGEN KLOPP TAKING TRAINING

STORY: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp expressed his concerns about releasing his players for international duty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the club had struggled to get clarity from national teams over safety protocols.

Premier League champions Liverpool, like several other elite European clubs, have begun their new campaign with a shortened pre-season, a cramped fixture schedule and the risk of losing players to COVID-19.

Liverpool will face Ajax Amsterdam and free-scoring Serie A side Atalanta in the Champions League group stage.

The late start to the season -- a knock-on effect of last season being interrupted by the pandemic -- means that the six matchdays will be played between Oct. 19 and Dec.9, a month less than usual.

Next week's international matches make things even more complicated for Liverpool, with Klopp saying it has been difficult for the club to make contact with national teams and manage player logistics.

"I don't want to sound disrespectful about how other countries are doing it but this is the place that we know and we know how we are dealing with it," Klopp told a news conference on Friday (October 2) ahead of Sunday's (October 4) league clash at Aston Villa.

"So I am slightly concerned because it is difficult to be in contact with all FAs (football associations) all over the world.

"I understand it, I really understand how difficult the situation is but it's not exactly perfect, the information we get from certain FAs."

Klopp also accused the Premier League and broadcasters of not prioritising player welfare as a number of his players will be expected to return to league action against rivals Everton on Oct. 17, less than 48 hours after returning from international duty.

"You have to make sure you bring the players home in the quickest and safest way and then we have to see how they are before we try to get a result on the Saturday."

Klopp confirmed captain Jordan Henderson has returned to training after recovering from a muscle issue but remains a doubt for Sunday's clash at Villa Park.

(Production: Iain Axon and Ursa Presern)