Burnley defender Ben Mee has hit back at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp over complaints about his tackle on Joe Gomez.

Gomez was involved in a heavy collision with Clarets skipper Mee in the December 4 game and hasn't played since after being ruled out for around six weeks with the fracture.

Klopp was unhappy with the challenge at the time, saying: "When players are sliding in like that it can get dangerous because of the speed and somebody has to say stop with these tackles."

However Mee suggested that "bigger teams" are in danger of becoming over-protected by those who govern the game.

He scoffed: "It's important to keep it competitive.

"Especially for lower teams, it's important we are able to compete with these bigger teams or you're going to have games where you can't even tackle, the top players just walk round with a ring round them.

"I thought it was a clean tackle at the time, you know if it's a naughty one or miss-timed it and hold your hands up."