Back in January 2017, Liverpool drew 2-2 away against Sunderland, as two Jermain Defoe penalties canceled out goals from Sadio Mane and Daniel Sturridge.The result left the Reds second in the table, five points behind Chelsea having played one more game, and came less than 48 hours after a New Year’s Eve victory over Manchester City at Anfield.The game brought more than just result uncertainty as a strange and an intense moment happened for the Scousers. According to former Reds defender Ragnar Klavan – Jurgen Klopp and James Milner almost started fighting after Liverpool conceded a late equaliser and trading blows was avoided only after the England international backed off.Sat, 25/9, 19.30: (7.75) BRENTFORD (4.30) LIVERPOOL (1.50)As tempers boiled over in the dressing room after the final whistle, Milner, who was dragged off at half time, and Klopp squared off – Klavan told Estonian football podcast Betsafe Eesti Podcast. ‘The biggest pressure was around Christmas and at the beginning of January,’ said Klavan. ‘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.’Since Jordan Henderson was injured during the period, Milner was wearing the armband and was at left-back as a starter. Unfortunately for James, he was substituted after only 45 minutes.Liverpool went on to struggle in that January, failing to win any of their four Premier League games. However, the Reds recovered to enjoy a strong end to the season, and secured a return to the Champions League after beating Middlesbrough on the final day.Pep wants his revenge, Tuchel to prove he belongs with the bestKlavan linked the dressing room incident to the intense pressure Klopp was under in his second season on Merseyside. ‘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,’ the Estonian, who spent two seasons at Anfield before moving to Serie A with Cagliari, revealed.’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.’ Liverpool finished fourth in the Premier League in Klopp’s second season and lost the Europa League final in his first campaign in charge. In his third year as a L’pool manager, his team lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.Keita won’t continue with Liverpool unless Klopp provides him with a serious roleLuckily for the German, the Reds defeated Tottenham in 2019 to clinch their sixth European Cup and then ended a 30-year-wait for a league title in 2020. Klavan believes the German’s man management has played a key role along with his tactical approach, which many believe is the reason for Liverpool’s resurgence. ‘He sensed the player and the team so well. He knew when to say what,’ he added. ‘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.’Liverpool share the Premier league table top spot with Chelsea, with mirrored goal difference and 13 points each so far.
