Liverpool fixture truth emerges for Jurgen Klopp after international break

Is there anything more likely to slow down time than an international break?

Watching your country in action isn't always the chore often painted, particularly when a World Cup comes around. But when international football brings the season to a halt for a fortnight - as has been the case since the introduction of FIFA's calendar - it can certainly be frustrating.

Not least for Liverpool supporters who have seen their team drag themselves back into Premier League title contention and keep alive hopes of an unprecedented quadruple. Momentum, always so important under Jurgen Klopp, is in danger of being checked.

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The Reds boss has previously suspected his team have been given a bit of a rough ride when it comes to how the fixtures have been scheduled post-international breaks. Evidence suggests he may have a point.

Starting with his very first game in charge of Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur more than five years ago, Klopp has overseen 25 previous international breaks while at Anfield. During that time, the Reds have faced top-six rivals on 11 occasions, while the remaining fixtures have included two Merseyside derbies. Indeed, next Saturday's visit of struggling Watford is the eighth time in the last 18 games after an international break that Liverpool have been the weekend's early kick-off.

But for all the concerns over how the international break can disrupt preparations and threaten the fitness of players, Liverpool have lost only one of their 25 post-break fixtures under Klopp.

The Reds have played Tottenham four times – drawing 0-0 at White Hart Lane in Klopp's