Sam Allardyce has apologised to Jurgen Klopp after he suggested the German had caused Liverpool’s injury crisis by asking his players to work too hard physically over the hectic Christmas period.

Allardyce insisted he had not meant to upset Klopp in a radio interview and admitted he should not have commented when asked to give his view on why Liverpool players are picking up so many injuries, including the three victims of hamstring strains during the Capital One Cup semi-final against Stoke earlier this week.

Klopp and Allardyce clashed on the touchline during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last week and Allardyce further inflamed the situation by describing the Liverpool manager as a “soft German” after he had complained about a Jeremain Lens tackle on Mamadou Sakho.