Ex-Red Klavan opens up on 'almost physical fight' between Klopp and Milner in 2017

Liverpool have enjoyed unprecedented success under Jurgen Klopp but it wasn't always smooth sailing.

Former Red Ragnar Klavan has now revealed that in December 2017, tensions in the squad almost led to a fight between Jurgen Klopp and James Milner.

He told the Betsafe Eesti Podcast: "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.

"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."

Obviously Milner is Klopp's vice-captain and it does seem a bit unlikely that the two would fight in this way but Klavan has no reason to lie either.

This might just be a case of letting bygones be bygones as the duo aim to achieve even more success with the Reds.