Since his introduction to the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp has brought a high energy style of football and the much lauded gegenpressing to Anfield in an attempt to revitalise a stagnant Liverpool season.
The change in tactic had some success initial success. Victories over Chelsea and title-chasing Manchester City were extremely impressive, yet performances against the likes of West Ham, Newcastle and Watford were anything but. The Merseyside club's latest victory came on Tuesday night in the Capitol One Cup against Stoke City, but the
result wasn't without its cost.
Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren both limped off with hamstring injuries, while Lovren's replacement Kolo Toure also finished the game clutching the back of his right leg.
They join Divock Origi and Martin Skrtel already on an already crowded treatment table and Sunderland boss, Sam Allardyce, has laid the blame squarely on the German's style of play.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Allardyce criticised Klopp's tactics over latest Liverpool injury crisis.
That is him asking his players to play a high-tempo pressing game from the top end. It’s great that the players have been able to carry it out but I think it has kicked in now.
I don’t think Jürgen has realised just how ferocious our league is at this period of time and because he has asked for that extra high energy, that extra 10 yards, these lads are fatiguing now with so many games in such a short period of time and are picking up these muscle strains.
This isn't the first time the pair of crossed paths, a highly publicised touchline spat over the Christmas saw the former West Ham manager brand Klopp a "soft German".
Allardyce went on to say that, although Klopp's brand of football may not help, one of the primary problems is just how much football is played in England at this time of year. That's something that has been raised for quite some time and in response to that, Klopp has explained how 'we don’t train, we only recover' due to the hectic fixture schedule.
Klopp didn't finish there, however, ensuring that Allardyce's comments didn't go unanswered.
Klopp reacts to Allardyce's criticism: "I'm glad for Sam, that such an experienced manager has time to think about Liverpool's problems."
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) January 7, 2016
Delivered with a trademark wry smile, no doubt, Klopp won't lose much sleep over Allardyce's criticisms as he gears up for this Friday's FA Cup clash with Exeter City at St James' Park.
