Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp labels new-look FIFA Club World Cup as ‘the worst idea ever implemented in football’

The German, who is now the head of global soccer for Red Bull, stressed that the timing and duration of the tournament heightens the risk of injuries and burnout for players.

The newly-expanded 32-team competition, which is being held across the United States, started on June 15, three weeks after the conclusion of the Premier League season.

The final is on July 13, four weeks before the start of the new campaign.

“In the end, it’s all about the game and not the surrounding aspects – and that’s why the Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard,” Klopp told Welt in Germany.

“People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business or who no longer have anything to do with it come up with something.

“Last year we had the Copa America and European Championship, this year the Club World Cup and next year, then, the World Cup.

“This does not mean any real recovery for the players who are there, neither physically nor mentally.

“An NBA player, who also earns a big salary, has a four-month break every year. This is what Virgil van Dijk got in his entire career.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, insists it is a “privilege” to be taking part in the competition.

Earlier this month, he said: “I (have) the feeling that it’s a privilege to be here. (There are) people that say, ‘But it’s so annoying, why should (you) be here?’ but once you are here, it’s a privilege.

“Because (the next tournament) is in four years’ time. In four years’ time (it may) not happen again, and to be (here) in four years’ time, you have to win big, big prizes.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. And once we are here, I love when I see Botafogo, Fluminense, all the Brazilian teams, Argentinian teams, and how they celebrate the goals, how they are together.

“I invite them. I love them. I like them.”