Liverpool v Sunderland: Sam Allardyce plays innocent as Jurgen Klopp responds to injury criticism

Sam Allardyce insists he isn’t trying to wind up Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp by suggesting he is driving his players too hard, leading to a rash of hamstrong problems at Anfield.

The Sunderland boss, who recently called Klopp a “soft German”, offered his thoughts on the Reds’ current injury crisis which has sidelined 10 first-team players, six of whom have or are recovering from hamstring injuries.

“That is him asking his players to play a high-tempo pressing game from the top end,” Allardyce told radio station talkSPORT.