Simon Jordan's zero respect Newcastle United claim after Liverpool outcry - isn't match-fixing'

Liverpool's controversial decision to field a weakened side has come under scrutiny

Arne Slot's decision to field a weakened Liverpool team at the weekend against Chelsea has caused much consternation among Newcastle United fans - and supporters of other Champions League-chasing clubs.

With the Reds having already claimed the Premier League crown, Slot opted to ring the changes and give some fringe players gametime at Stamford Bridge. It was a move that backfired, with Chelsea winning 3-1 to improve their chances of finishing in the top five at the end of the season.

While Eddie Howe swerved the issue expertly when asked, supporters from Newcastle, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City felt aggrieved at the move, feeling it handed Chelsea an unfair advantage. With the race for the Champions League so tight, any slight advantage a club can get could be crucial.

Former Crystal Palace chairman turned pundit Simon Jordan, however, has hit back at the claims that Slot acted poorly. Instead, he says the Liverpool boss should be commended for his decisions.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Jordan was asked the question by a reader, who claimed Slot had shown 'zero respect' for other teams bidding for a top five spot.

He responded: "Slot doesn’t have a responsibility to other clubs. His job is to manage Liverpool and achieve the best outcomes for them without any concern for Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest or anyone else.

"We have people screaming from the rooftops about the amount of games for players, and here is a manager rotating and there’s a suggestion he has an inherent obligation to think about other teams.

"This isn’t match-fixing, betting on yellow cards or challenging the integrity of the sport. I’d say, and did say during my time at Crystal Palace, if you aren’t playing for something meaningful in May - in Liverpool’s case because they are already champions - it’s common sense to give younger or fringe players experience for the benefit of the following season."