Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he feels uneasy about his players heading off on international duty and added that the club receives little help in ensuring they return safely and efficiently back.
Klopp's Liverpool play Aston Villa on Sunday and their next match after that is in 13 days as they take on Merseyside rivals Everton. In between those two games a number of players will head off on international duty.
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"I really don't want to sound disrespectful as we don't know too much about what other countries are doing, but everyone in this moment wants family around you. You want to keep your players. I'm not saying this is the safest place in the world but it's the place we know, at least. We know how to deal with the different situations and scenarios," Klopp said at a news conference on Friday.
"So yes, I'm slightly concerned as it's difficult to get in contact with all football associations all over the world. I understand 100% the demands on FAs as well and UEFA and FIFA, I understand that. I know how difficult the situation is for everybody but it's not exactly perfect.
"In the end, as a football club it's pretty often that you are really alone in these moments. We send the players away, Premier League and the TV broadcasters give us a challenge on top because they don't care about how players might play on a Wednesday night in Peru, for example, they still think it's a good idea to let us play on a Saturday really early. It's not like this is our problems but if they use a normal flight then they are arriving Friday afternoon and then they play Saturday at 12 something, it's just these things.
"In these moments as a club we are completely alone. I know it's difficult. Here in our own country, TV broadcasters and the Premier League don't care. As a football club you are alone in this moment. We have to make sure we bring the players home in the quickest and safest way because nobody helps us. This is the situation we're in. It's really tricky. We try everything to make it right and as safe as possible."
Klopp also said his team will have to keep up their intensity if they are to defend their title this year.
"We have to improve or we will have no chance. It's not new for us," he added.
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho also said that Klopp made it clear to the squad that they cannot afford to be sloppy this season.
"It is not easy, but our manager has already had a conversation with us about it," Fabinho told ESPN Brasil." He said that everything we have achieved for the club so far is very important, but we can do much more with the players that we have.
"We have to forget what people say like: "they've already won the Champions and the Premier League" and pursue our goals.
"Keep winning and stay as one of the best football clubs in the world. Our players are always pushing one another, helping one another.
"This is important at this point. As much as we are a team that comes from good results, it is good to have players helping one another so we can achieve even more."
Klopp is waiting on Jordan Henderson's availability ahead of Sunday's match against Villa. Henderson will then head off on England duty where Klopp hopes he will continue working on getting back to full fitness after he was injured against Chelsea.