James McClean calls Jurgen Klopp 'a bit of an idiot'

REPUBLIC of Ireland international winger James McClean has labelled Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp "an idiot" for his actions during West Brom's 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

Klopp criticised Albion's style of play during Sunday's game when Liverpool needed a stoppage time equaliser from Divock Origi to grab a point.

The German appeared to snub Albion manager Tony Pulis' attempts to shake hands following the game.

“We had some words in the game and sometimes it takes more than a few seconds to cool down. Usually I shake hands. It was not a friendly game,” explained Klopp afterwards.

But Albion wideman McClean was unimpressed with Klopp's behaviour.

"Obviously, look I have got respect for the man because he did a great job at Dortmund and that.

"But I think he is a bit of an idiot if I am being honest.

"On the game on Sunday you can't act that way. Win, lose or draw you have got to be

respectful," said McClean, speaking to BBC West Midlands at a pre-Christmas visit with his Albion team-mates to Sandwell Hospital Children's Ward.

Klopp was particularly fired up when Craig Gardner’s challenge forced Dejan Lovren off on a stretcher, though he conceded after the game the West Brom man did, play the ball:

“He played the ball, a millisecond before he hit Dejan. It was like this the whole game, on the edge of everything. But he played the ball.”

Lovren has escaped serious injury but is likely to be out for a month. The Croatia centre-back was carried off on a stretcher and left Anfield on crutches, after five stitches had been inserted in the wound on his right knee.

It is believed further scans haven't shown ligament damage but the joint is still significantly swollen and bruised and the defender’s recovery is likely to take around a month.

With that in mind, the return to training of Mamadou Sakho ahead of schedule is timely for Liverpool.

The France centre-back started manager Jurgen Klopp’s first four league matches alongside Martin Skrtel until a knee injury after landing awkwardly against Crystal Palace sidelined him in early November, with the early diagnosis suggesting it could be eight weeks before he was fit again.

With a full week of training he is likely to go straight into the team for Sunday’s match at Watford.