Jurgen Klopp's intentions to field a "weakened side" against Shrewsbury Town in their FA Cup replay raised several eyebrows among football fans and experts, but they also saw one of his bitter rivals taking his side.
That rival is none other than Pep Guardiola, who backed Klopp's decision to let his top players rest, rather than forcing them to play one more game they were not expecting when the calendar was handed to them.
Speaking in a press conference, Guardiola defended Klopp's right to field whichever squad he seems fit to, because he is the coach of that team and no one, not even the English FA, can take that right away from him.
"We accept the schedules of the competitions, the games every two or three days, but don't tell the manager the selection he has to choose," Pep Guardiola stated.
Klopp's decision has everything to do with the fact that, for the first time ever, English clubs will be given a winter break. The game against Shrewsbury complicates Klopp's plans, and he decided to stick to his guns before being forced by the FA to field a much stronger side.
The always-respectful Guardiola went on to support Klopp's idea.
"We will be there, but don't tell us which players we have to play in games," he added on this issue.
Guardiola's men will face Sheffield Wednesday in the fifth round of the FA Cup, scheduled to take place next month, as all fifth round ties in this tournament.
