Klopp comments confuse Southgate

England manager Gareth Southgate has said he is confused by comments from Jurgen Klopp about his treatment of Liverpool players on international duty. Klopp has previously raised concerns about Southgate's use of Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, as well as his justification for leaving Joe Gomez out of the England squad on the basis of a lack of game time at club level, while Manchester City's John Stones has continued to be picked despite spending much of the season on the bench.

Southgate has selected Liverpool duo Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson in his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino. "I don't quite know why he keeps having a swing, you'd have to ask him," Southgate told reporters. I think we've always got on reasonably well. I've noticed quite a few articles and quite a few comments, which is always interesting to see."

When asked about the importance of forging strong working relationships with club managers, Southgate added: "They come and go pretty quickly so it's important to have a good relationship somewhere in the clubs, but maybe the managers [aren't] the priority because it's very transient. I don't think that will be the case with the Liverpool manager, by the way. I've got no problem with Jurgen at all. You'd have to ask him why he's made the comments he has."

England need just four points from their final two qualifiers to confirm their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.