Liverpool boss Klopp hits back at Allardyce over injury claims
Jurgen Klopp has hit back at Sam Allardyce over the Sunderland manager's claims that the style of football the German has introduced at Anfield is the root cause of Liverpool's current injury crisis.
Liverpool face Exeter City in the FA Cup third round on Friday night with 11 first-team players unavailable due to injury, six of those ruled out with hamstring problems.
During Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final, first-leg victory over Stoke City, Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren limped out with hamstring injuries and Kolo Toure suffered cramp.
Allardyce claimed Klopp did not realize how "ferocious" the Premier League was and said the injuries came about due to him "asking his players to play a high-tempo pressing game from the top end".
However, the Liverpool manager insists he was fully aware of the demands of the English game.
Klopp said: "I knew about the Premier League. It's not a problem. Maybe he [Allardyce] has time to think about Liverpool problems.
"The problem is that, in this situation, we speak about the intensity of my style. I didn't create this style, how could I? I'm not a genius.
"People talk about the intensity of my style. Two weeks ago we had no idea there would be a problem at center-half. The truth is we have to react on the situation. It's difficult enough to find quality players. We have eyes open.
"We try to be successful but you need a little bit of luck, we haven't had this.
"Maybe the first game against Tottenham was more intensive. It's average running, football is not all about more. It's about thinking quicker in the right position. No time for training, it's only recovery. The game is our only session in the week."
Regarding the injuries suffered in midweek, Klopp said at his press conference on Thursday morning ahead of the Exeter game: "Phil is more serious than Dejan and Kolo, but nobody of these three players will be available for tomorrow [Friday]. We don't know exactly.
"Kolo was cramp but after three days he's not available. Next week, not a problem.
"Dejan will be available after Manchester United [January 17] and Phil needs one or maybe two weeks longer. But we don't know exactly. It's really rare it's quicker. I don't know yet who will be available. We will train in two hours and then we will see.
"It's a great tournament, we know about this. But we have to make decisions now for the team - we have to make changes. The German Cup is also important. The FA Cup a big tournament for sure. I have big respect for it."
Klopp admitted he was undecided on whether to bring players back from loan as cover for the growing injury list, but hinted he would like the club's youngsters to continue their education at Anfield in future.
He said: "We have taken back our own players, especially if they are not in the perfect situation at clubs where they are on loan. We will speak about this next summer.
"These are our players - [Sheyi] Ojo, [Ryan] Kent & Tiago [Ilori]. The biggest talents should be always around you and play together in the U21s as a team.
"It's a big chance. But no pressure because they are still young. If they do well they can make the next step but if not they have time."