James Milner has revealed how he sent Jurgen Klopp off when the two clashed during the Liverpool manager’s half-time team meeting. Milner, who turns 38 today, joined the Reds on a free transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, completing eight seasons at the Anfield club. He won every major honor at Liverpool during his time as the club’s vice-captain, scoring 26 goals and providing 45 assists in 332 appearances, before deciding to seek pastures new before his contract with the club expired .
Klopp wanted the veteran to stay at the club and Milner insisted it was not the German’s decision not to offer him a new contract after his last game at Anfield. But despite the pair’s strong bond, that doesn’t mean they never had a row during their time together on Merseyside. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Milner recalled once honking his horn angrily during the team’s half-time chat. “He was very kind and open,” Milner said of their relationship. “It’s not like that during the break. When he spoke his mind and I spoke mine, he slapped his hand on the table and said, “Shut up!” I remember her screaming.”But Jurgen was great, we had a good relationship and he was great on the pitch.”It’s not the first time the pair have hinted at engaging in an intense match at halftime.
Former Manchester United defender Ragnar Klavan has told how Milner and Klopp once fought. “Where do we play when Klopp is angry?” The Estonian recalled on the Betsafe Eesti podcast when asked about Klopp’s hairdryer treatment. First season at Liverpool.“The biggest pressure was Christmas and early January. I don’t remember who we played with. Maybe against Sunderland. “Klopp and James Milner almost had a fight. They almost had a fight on Boxing Day in England but Milner ended up backing down.
“I saw in Klopp’s eyes that he would do anything to prove his point. It was the most difficult time for him. He was under a lot of pressure.“It was my first year and Klopp’s second year. What are you going to do? You are expected to be a good trainer. You are Jurgen Klopp, you turn every player into a superstar. The pressure started to get to him. “It won’t be easy but if you don’t play against a team like Sunderland you can forget where you were expected to be.””It has to be a big misunderstanding,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “I don’t know what Ragnar’s level is, but he wasn’t up to a duel.”
Now I know what he’s talking about, but I didn’t walk in his direction. “Everybody knows what I look like when I talk or shout. It looks offensive rather than offensive. Maybe Ragnar hasn’t gotten used to it yet. “It was nothing. James Milner would never do that and I would never do that.” “All is well.”Klavan was due to explain his comments in an exclusive interview with the ECHO later this year.”I think it was translated from an Estonian podcast, but the translation wasn’t very good!” he said “I didn’t say we had a fight. What I tell them is that there are times when things get heated.
“But it shows that everyone wants to win and there is excitement to help the team and move forward. I don’t think that’s what we fought for. “When you put a lot of emotion and energy into a room, anything can happen. But it was always done for a good cause and for the good of the team.”
