COOL IT KLOPP SAYS SOUTHGATE

GARETH SOUTHGATE has urged Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to defuse the ill feeling over Adam Lallana’s latest injury on England duty.

Lallana is out for up to four weeks with a thigh problem at a critical time for Liverpool’s Champions League hopes, with Klopp furious over England’s treatment of his playmaker.

Lallana was visibly struggling at halftime during Sunday’s World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania and Klopp was annoyed that he was not taken off.

The Kop boss was also concerned that Lallana (below), who was crocked on international duty in November, played every minute against Germany and Lithuania while Manchester City’s John Stones and Raheem Sterling figured in just one game.

England boss Southgate was aware of Klopp’s irritation and rang the Liverpool boss on Wednesday to smooth relations.

The Three Lions boss explained the situation to Klopp and it is understood both coaches have drawn a line under the matter.

The first game Lallana misses is tomorrow’s Merseyside derby – a match that cannot come soon enough for Anfield keeper Simon Mignolet.

The Belgian, unbeaten in his seven derbies, said: “The derby is special in Liverpool because in some families you have got both Everton and Liverpool supporters.

“Although it’s a derby, I don’t think there is much hatred between the two clubs. Everybody wants to win and everybody is cheering their team on, but it’s still in a fair way.”