Jürgen Klopp has told Frank Lampard he should learn to leave his arguments on the pitch as the row over the “arrogance” of the Liverpool bench during Wednesday’s win over Chelsea continued.
The Chelsea manager maintains that Liverpool’s coaching staff “crossed the line” with their behaviour at Anfield, although he says he regrets using bad language during a touchline row with Klopp.
Footage of the incident showed an incensed Lampard losing his cool during a dispute with Klopp and Liverpool’s bench, repeatedly telling them to “fuck off”. The Chelsea manager was irate after Mateo Kovacic was penalised for the free-kick that led to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal and Pepijn Lijnders, Liverpool’s assistant manager, leapt from the dugout demanding punishment.
Lampard’s ire was mainly directed at Lijnders, with the pair also exchanging words in a post-match clinch. But it was the later claims of arrogance from the Chelsea manager that have angered Klopp, who insists managerial disputes should finish on the final whistle.
“You cannot hit me with something like that – or my bench with something like that – because we are not arrogant,” the Liverpool manager said on Friday. “Frank was in a really competitive mood and I respect that a lot. You can pretty much, from my point of view, say what you want in a situation like that. For me, it’s after the game. It’s completely over. I have said a lot in the past because it is pure emotion. He came here to win the game or get a point to make sure of Champions League qualification. I respect that a lot.
“But what he has to learn is to finish it with the final whistle and he didn’t do that. Speaking after it like this is not okay. Frank has to learn. He has a lot of time to learn, he is a young coach. But he has to learn. During a game words are used – no problem at all.
“But at the final whistle, all the things he said … we are not arrogant. We are pretty much the opposite of arrogant in a moment like this. If you have arguments, you say something and you want to hurt the other person. That is how it is. No problem. The final whistle? Close the book, finish the book. That is what I don’t like.”
Lampard, however, is adamant that Liverpool’s behaviour was disrespectful and he will always passionately defend his side.
“I’ve seen the video and I was obviously there, in terms of the language I used I do regret that. These things get replayed a lot on social media and I’m aware of that, I’ve got two young daughters on social media,” the Chelsea manager said. “So I regret that. In terms of regretting having passion to defend my team, no. I could have maybe handled it slightly differently to keep that language in. I wasn’t upset with the celebrating of the Liverpool team. Far from it. Liverpool should celebrate as much as they want.
“With the season they’ve had they can celebrate like they did after the game, like they can celebrate every goal they score. Like they celebrated when they won the league a month ago and like they’re talking about celebrating one more time with their fans.
“I would have had a beer with Jürgen Klopp and toasted what they’ve done this year. But there were things on the line I didn’t like from their bench. Not Jürgen Klopp, people behind the bench which I felt crossed the line and that’s what got me agitated. But it’s done. Emotions run high among most managers, players and fans in this game. I regret the language and move on.”
Chelsea, who will qualify for the Champions League qualification if they draw their final league game with Wolves on Sunday, could have N’Golo Kanté available. Kanté has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury. – Guardian
