World Cup 2018: Germany hold crisis talks after Mexico loss as Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer demand improvements

GERMANY star Thomas Muller has denied cliques in the squad were to blame for their shock loss to Mexico but admitted they could have been careless in preparation.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has admitted the shell-shocked reigning champions held crisis talks after the 1-0 defeat.

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The goalkeeper revealed harsh words were said in the meetings but Muller insists the squad must not “tear ourselves apart” if they are to recover and make it out of the group.

At today's press conference, Muller said: “We definitely won’t win the next two games if we tear ourselves apart.

“I wish the criticism would be a little less personal.

“The fact of the matter is calmness is not something that can be taught. Now we need to show patience and purpose.

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When pressed on Bayern cliques in the team, Muller snapped back: "Is that confirmed? Do you have a source? No? OK.

“We have lots of tables when we eat. I have lots of opportunities to choose where to sit.

“In 2012 we didn’t have great chemistry, but that’s not the case now.

“Perhaps we thought a little carelessly that our usual freshness and performance would be present when the tournament got started. That was an error of judgement.”

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Shot stopper Neuer admitted the players are “mad” with themselves over the shock defeat when they “lacked courage, identity, and confidence”.

The fuming keeper and manager Joachim Low arrived 50 minutes late for their brutally honest press conference on Tuesday as they needed extra time on the training pitch to address their problems.

Neuer said: “Sorry that we came too late. We had one more session that lasted longer. It was a wake-up call.

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“Of course, a lot can happen. There have never been such strong words within the team as after the Mexico game.

“It’s a good sign. You can tell that many players want to get involved.

“We talked a lot about what we have to do better. Apart from what has been written, we ourselves are our harshest critics.

“We are mad at ourselves and disappointed with what we showed against Mexico on the field.

“I see everyone as responsible, especially the players who were on the pitch.

“We have many experienced players who want and need to take responsibility. That has always been the axis."

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Germany face Sweden in a game they cannot afford to lose on Saturday.

Revealing what they must do to revive their bid to retain their crown, Neuer said: “Basically you coach from the back to the front, from the inside to the outside. You can see on paper how the line-up was.

“No one has withdrawn from the responsibility. We talked a lot after the game on the bus, with every meal we try to find points where we can start to honestly agree.

“The national coach knows what the situation is. We only have finals now. Now something must come from us."

Neuer, who only recently returned to the team after a lengthy injury lay-off, added: “We have to show what made us so strong. It's not a new team that was on the pitch. But we know we can do better. This will be shown in the next game against Sweden.

“We lacked courage, identity, and confidence against Mexico. I can't say why.

“The body language was not on the pitch, and it must not happen again.”