Reds boss Klopp ‘relaxed’ over Lallana England injury

Jurgen Klopp is adamant he does not blame England boss Gareth Southgate after star midfielder Adam Lallana returned injured, but is far from happy with losing the Liverpool player.

Lallana could be out of action for up to four weeks with a thigh problem sustained during England’s 2-0 win over Lithuania, the second time he has returned to Melwood crocked.

The 28-year-old missed three games in November after England duty, and Klopp reacted angrily after learning one of his creative playmakers could miss a crucial period of the season for a second time.

Southgate phoned Klopp to ensure the relationship between Liverpool and England was not damaged, and the German admits they remain on civil terms.

Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

“I think it is absolutely normal to have contact with the national coach, the manager of the national team,” he said.

“So we are in kind of close contact because we met a few times already, and so that’s normal.

“I don’t think it’s about appreciating [it] or something, it’s about a normal situation; we both share players, not only with [each other]. [The phone call] is then a normal situation.

“I spoke already about it and of course I was not happy [with the injury]. I heard somebody said I was relaxed about the situation – I could not be less relaxed about this, but it is not about blaming Gareth Southgate.”