Sam Allardyce: 'Jurgen Klopp underestimated ferocity of Premier League'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 06 January 2016

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce believes that Jurgen Klopp underestimated the ferocity of the Premier League, which has resulted in Liverpool's recent injury troubles.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has underestimated the ferocity of the Premier League.

The Reds have been struck by a number of injury problems this season, with 12 players currently sidelined and six of those struggling with hamstring strains.

Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness suggested that Klopp's high-tempo style of play was to blame for the spate of injuries, and Allardyce agrees that too much is being asked of the players.

"That is him asking his players to play a high-tempo pressing game from the top end. It's great that the players have been able to carry it out but I think it has kicked in now," he told talkSPORT.

"I don't think Jurgen has realised just how ferocious our league is at this period of time and because he has asked for that extra high-energy, that extra 10 yards, these lads are fatiguing now with so many games in much a short period of time and are picking up these muscle strains.

"They are highly-trained athletes more than ever before and they become more susceptible injuries by the amount of work they do in a game now."

Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Jordan Rossiter are all currently suffering from hamstring injuries for Liverpool.