Jurgen Klopp believes it is a "crime" Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was compelled to name a reserve team against Leicester City - and admitted he would have done the same with Liverpool.
A United side sporting 10 changes slumped to a 2-1 reverse at home to the Foxes on Tuesday, a result which landed a major blow to the Reds' hopes of Champions League qualification.
Solskjaer had warned that "someone might not be happy" with his team selections this week after the Europa League finalists were forced to play three league games in five days following the postponement of Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford earlier this month due to supporter protests.
That game will be played on Thursday with United expected to recall most of their usual first-choice team for the clash against their bitter North West rivals.
But Klopp, speaking on Wednesday, declined the invitation to criticise Solskjaer and instead pointed the finger at the Premier League.
"It was the line-up I expected (against Leicester), not exactly but I knew he had to make changes," said the Reds boss.
"They play Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and I said it 500 times with all the things that happened, to play Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday is a crime and that is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the players.
"My question to myself is would I have done the same? Yes, you have to. You have to.
"We are late in the season, United went to the Europa League final and that means a lot of games and now you get Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. That's not possible. But the weekend after is a weekend off for United."
One option would have been to bring forward by several days Liverpool's trip to West Bromwich Albion scheduled for this Sunday, and played the United match in its place.
However, it is understood the Baggies were not keen, with the authorities indicating no other team should be impacted by the Old Trafford postponement.
And Klopp added: "I am not the guy doing the schedule but when we thought about how it could work out when we drove home on the bus when the game got cancelled, there was no Tuesday-Thursday game and you could have played all the games by moving the West Brom game.
"The explanation from the Premier League was that no other team should suffer because of the things that happened in Manchester.
"Let me say it like this - that didn’t work out pretty well, a little bit (impacting on) West Ham and a little bit Liverpool.
"But if we don’t go to the Champions League it is not the fault of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team selection or the Premier League, it is our fault.
"But in this specific case, it could have been done differently. Definitely.
"But we are getting more and more used to things barely going in your favour or direction. We just accept it, that's how it is."
