Pep Guardiola jokes Premier League fixture compilers must be Liverpool fans

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has joked the Premier League fixture compilers must be Liverpool fans after their hectic Christmas schedule. City's match away to Wolves has been pushed back from Boxing Day to December 27, with a 7.45 pm kick-off. With City playing Sheffield United at home on December 29 at 6 pm, that will give Guardiola and his players less than 48 hours to prepare for that game. “Maybe the broadcasters are fans for some clubs,” joked Guardiola. “We have meetings with Premier League, managers, UEFA, they are so glad, nice pictures, it doesn’t matter, we have to play. “It is what it is. Since I came here, every season it’s the same, the broadcasters are the bosses, it’s not about us. But I love to play boxing day, when the families go to the stadiums, the players travel, but the system does not protect the players too much.”

Frank Lampard slams France coach Didier Deschamps for not allowing N’Golo Kante to return from international duty