Peter Crouch and Joe Cole have responded to Jurgen Klopp's criticism over Liverpool's fixture list.
Despite having played on Wednesday evening in the Champions League, BT Sport scheduled the Reds to face Brighton in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
It prompted anger from Klopp, who says the fixture schedule is not giving enough rest to players in what is already a hectic season due to the delayed start.
Yet BT Sport's pundits have shot down Klopp's criticisms, arguing that he has a big enough squad to deal with the schedule.
Former Reds striker Peter Crouch admits his old side are in a difficult position but argued that Klopp's complaints are no different from previous managers.
"It’s difficult," he said. "The fact that they played Wednesday night and then an early kick-off, I think Jurgen feels it’s against them at the moment and with the host of injuries they’ve got, it’s a difficult time for them.
"They should have more than enough to cope for it. Managers since the start of time have complained about fixtures, and that will never change."
Crouch's fellow pundit Joe Cole agreed.
Former Liverpool and Chelsea winger Cole said the Reds have a target on their head after winning the Premier League last season but that they need to show resilience.
He said: "We’ve got to hand credit to Liverpool. We’ve waxed lyrical about their quality, but they’ve got to have resilience.
"When you’ve had so many injuries, and they’re the champions now, that’s when you have a squad of 23 - everyone’s gunning for you. Those boys have come in, your Neco Williams - they’re getting chances now.
"You have to get on with it, managers have moaned consistently about fixture pile-ups since we’ve started this game.
"It is different this year because of Covid, because they’re wasn’t much of a pre-season. There have been more injuries, but they have to deal with it and they’ve got enough to deal with it."
