Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho have described the Premier League's festive schedule as a "crime" with some clubs forced to play two matches in the space of 48 hours.

"It is absolutely not OK," Jurgen Klopp told the British media. "There's no reason why more teams do not get more than 48 hours between Premier League games.

"None of the managers have a problem playing on Boxing Day, but playing on the 26th and 28th is a crime. This year we play 26th and 29th and it's like a holiday."

Brighton, Everton, Watford and Manchester United all play twice within 48 hours this week.

"We can say what we want but no one is listening ... sports science gives you nothing to deal with this," said Klopp.

"The body needs a specific amount of time to go again. But we ignore that completely."

Mourinho expressed a similar sentiment.

"I cannot imagine that these boys can play in less than 48 hours. It is a crime that they are going to play football again in 48 hours. It's against every rule of physiology and biology."