Jurgen Klopp and James Milner almost had dressing room fight, says Ragnar Klavan, who believes Liverpool boss ‘would have gone all the way to prove his point’

Jurgen Klopp and James Milner almost came to blows in the dressing room back in 2017 as Liverpool battled to rectify poor form.

Former Reds defender Ragnar Klavan revealed the manager and vice-captain’s heated confrontation after a disappointing result almost spilled over into a physical fight.

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Klavan added that Klopp ‘would have gone all the way to prove his point’ and Milner’s decision to back away was the reason why the fight didn’t happen.

Klavan told Betsafe Eesti Podcast, per Goal: “The biggest pressure was around Christmas and at the beginning of January. One time, I don’t remember who we played against, maybe it was against Sunderland away.

“Klopp and James Milner almost started a physical fight. It was the period when there was Boxing Day in England and they almost started fighting but eventually Milner stepped back.

“We saw from his eyes that Klopp would have gone all the way just to prove his point. It was the most stressful time for him as well. He was under a lot of pressure.

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“It was my first and Klopp’s second year. What are you going to do? You’re supposed to be a good coach. You are Jurgen Klopp who will make superstars of all players. The pressure started getting to him.

“It’s not supposed to be easy, but if you don’t deliver against a team like Sunderland, then you can forget about the places you had hoped for.”

There were some tough moments but Klavan was keen to point out Klopp’s many strengths as a manager, labelling the German a ‘phenomenon’.

Klavan added: “What I didn’t have with other coaches in team meetings is he never repeated himself. He always talked from a different angle or there was a slight joke in it.

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“He sensed the player and the team so well. He knew when to say what. If he saw there were problems in the team, he could turn it around with a simple joke or vice versa, when the team didn’t take it too seriously, then he showed them who’s boss.

“That, for me, is his phenomenon. That he can read the team so well, and individually as well.”