James Milner revealed that Liverpool players began throwing up during Jurgen Klopp's early training sessions, explaining the brutal shift in "tempo" after Brendan Rodgers was fired
06:00, 01 May 2026
Jurgen Klopp was known for his high-tempo training sessions at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp was known for his high-tempo training sessions at Liverpool(Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)
Jurgen Klopp inspired a golden era at Liverpool, which saw the club win eight trophies in nine seasons, and James Milner knew that everything was about to change when the German coach replaced Brendan Rodgers at Anfield.
Rodgers failed to win silverware as Liverpool manager, though the team infamously collapsed during the Premier League title race in 2013-14. Rodgers later signed Milner on a free contract in June 2015, but left the club months later as Klopp was hired to lead a new era.
Liverpool fans were blindsided by the success yet to come, but behind the scenes, Milner noticed an immediate difference in training. Liverpool was known for its high-intensity style under Klopp, but it took the players a while to adjust, with some even vomiting in training.
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Milner experienced Rodgers' departure just months after agreeing to join Liverpool from Manchester City, and then began working under Klopp. Liverpool reached two finals that season but lost both, though Klopp made it clear that things would be different from the following season.
In a recent appearance on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Milner discussed what it was like when Klopp first joined Liverpool. "The journey when Jurgen came in, I mean, the first year he was there, we lost in the League Cup final to City and then the Europa League. Both of those were hard to take," he said.
"I remember Jurgen after the final wanted us all on the dance floor. We're all fuming... he then wanted us to sing 'We are Liverpool' or something like that, and he said, 'This is just the start of the journey, this isn't the end.'
Liverpool lost the 2016 Europa League Final, but Klopp promised this was the start of an era
Liverpool lost the 2016 Europa League Final, but Klopp promised this was the start of an era(Image: Marc Atkins/Offside/Getty Images)
"The first year, he's come in halfway through, but the next preseason, one of the lads turned up late a few times in San Francisco. He was sent home straight away. That was it from then; it was like, 'Here we go, strap yourselves in.'"
After getting to know his surroundings, Klopp then conducted his first preseason with Liverpool, and it was a shock compared to what players were used to under Rodgers. It didn't take long for Klopp to start constructing his squad, and he was only interested in retaining those who were up to the challenge.
"Bit by bit, this squad changed, developed, his ideas came through," Milner added. "You wouldn't believe training... One of the first international breaks, I was suspended or something for England, so I couldn't play, so I was at the club, and I think two of the boys threw up in one of the first sessions we did.
Milner revealed that players would throw up due to intense training
Milner revealed that players would throw up due to intense training(Image: 2022 Liverpool FC)
"The tempo was just through the roof. It was ridiculous. It was all about intensity, next situation. You're playing with one ball here, and he'd kick another in, and he'd say, 'New ball,' and you all had to sprint to that one.
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"The number of sessions... he always used to do a double after a day off in the early days... these aren't sessions where it's like coming out of a tinkle, it's like sprints. The amount of hamstrings we had that first season was unbelievable.
"You've gone from one (tempo) to another, and it took time to develop. Some players can't ever get there. I suppose it was, 'If you're here, this is how we do it.'"
Klopp guided Liverpool to the Champions League title in 2019 and ended the 30-year drought for a domestic championship the following season by winning the Premier League. Klopp won every trophy possible during his time at the club.