Big Sam offers Liverpool apology after Klopp aims dig at Allardyce
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has hit back at Sunderland counterpart Sam Allardyce as their war of words continued ahead of the Reds’ FA Cup third round trip to Exeter City tonight.
The German was responding to Allardyce’s claim that Liverpool’s current injury crisis was in part down to Klopp underestimating the physical demands of the Premier League.
It was former West Ham boss Allardyce’s second swipe at the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach, who he dubbed a “soft German” for complaining about Sunderland’s tackling when the teams met in a fiery fixture last month. “I knew about the Premier League, I knew about the fixtures – that’s not a problem,” said Klopp.
“I am glad for Sam, such an experienced manager, that he has time to think about Liverpool’s problems but I don’t really have time to think about this.
“We are working together and we know about our situation and in most of the cases the reasons. It’s often the situation that one injury in the wrong moment is a problem for the whole squad because other players have to play too much – that’s the thing – but that’s all.”
Allardyce later offered an apology to Klopp when the Reds chief’s remarks were put to him, insisting he had not been mischief-making.
“If Jurgen is listening, I didn’t mean to upset you or criticise your club in any way, I was just giving what I could see as as maybe one of the reasons why we get injuries,” he said.
“I was just trying to say that he hasn’t experienced this level of football before and maybe that might be one of the causes.”