Klopp: Protection? If I say we need it, Big Sam will call me a SOFT GERMAN

(BUT THE LIVERPOOL BOSS FINDS A WAY TO SAY IT ANYWAY)

JURGEN KLOPP says he hates the brutal aggression of the Mersey derby.

But the Liverpool manager will not even bother pleading for protection from referee Michael Oliver at Goodison today because he’d be branded a “soft German” by his opposite number Sam Allardyce.

Klopp has reason to be fearful against Everton. Not only is his depleted squad down to the bare bones for the high-noon showdown, but any more injuries could scupper Liverpool’s chances of completing a Champions League victory over Manchester City on Tuesday.

There have been some ugly incidents in the Merseyside showpiece in recent years.

Blues star Wayne Rooney produced a wild challenge on Joe Gomez in the FA Cup clash at Anfield in January, which Klopp said should have been a straight red card.

Last season Ross Barkley somehow escaped with only a booking after a horror challenge on Jordan Henderson, and Divock Origi was badly injured by a fearsome lunge from Ramiro Funes Mori during Klopp’s first season in charge.

But when asked if he needed the referee to ensure the passion didn’t get out of hand, he said: “You know the answer but if I say it then we will have someone not too far from here saying I am a soft German who is asking for help. You don’t need me to say it. I don’t need the protection of anybody but the right decisions help a lot.”

Allardyce labelled Klopp a ‘soft German’ after his complaints following Liverpool’s win at

Big Sam-led Sunderland in December

2015 (right).

Klopp tried hard not to dwell on derby-day aggression because he knows it is what the fans of both teams expect. Yet he admitted that he has no time for such an approach in football.

“It is a derby and there are a lot of people out there who love this part of the game but I hated it my whole life,” he said.

“I never understood it. It is as silly as throwing something at a bus. But we have to show up. Nobody cares how difficult it is, we have to deliver.”

Klopp though, did subtly refer to what he believes will be an obvious gameplan from their neighbours, who are looking for a first derby win in 17 encounters. Everton have had eight players dismissed in the last 15 league meetings at Goodison and, when asked about the nasty derby challenges he’s seen since arriving at Anfield, Klopp added: “You saw them as well. None of them were from our side. But would anything I say change things? In the last few years there has been at least one very harsh challenge in every derby game. I hope we can go without that this time.

“Aggressive football I have no problem with. But if it crosses a line it makes no sense.

“Of course it will be very aggressive because everybody has told Everton that they haven’t won a derby in I don’t know how long. That’s the easiest motivation you can get.”

Klopp, who will not risk Mo Salah in the derby, said that Emre Can will miss at least the next three games with a back injury but denied the German’s season is over. “I heard people say he is out for the season but I don’t think that is already decided,” Klopp said.

“He is not involved tomorrow, or on Tuesday, or next Saturday. Maybe something will improve or maybe not.

“With Mo, I cannot make him available because it’s a derby. Even our supporters don’t want that. If he’s a doubt, then he will not be involved.”