Harry Diamond
Jurgen Klopp has refuted claims that Liverpool are ‘arrogant’ following criticism of his staff from Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.
Lampard clashed with the Liverpool bench during the midweek meeting between the two sides at Anfield, the newly-crowned champions securing a 5-3 victory over the west London outfit following an entertaining clash on Merseyside.
Following the defeat, Lampard was critical of the behaviour of the Reds’ coaching staff and believes the Premier League champions showed an air of arrogance with their conduct against his Chelsea side.
“There were a lot of things that were ongoing and on the bench,” Lampard said immediately after the defeat. “I’ve got no problem with Jurgen Klopp, he’s managed this team and it’s fantastic. Some of the bench, it’s a fine line between when you are winning – and they’ve won the league, fair play to Liverpool Football Club – but also don’t get too arrogant with it.”
Klopp has dismissed Lampard’s assessment that his side are arrogant and believes Lampard should have shown better sportsmanship despite the emotions of his side’s defeat, the Blues’ boss having unleashed an expletive-filled rant in the direction of Klopp’s coaching staff.
"I am not asking you…" ?
Frank Lampard was involved in a heated row with the Liverpool bench on Wednesday – and then saw Trent Alexander-Arnold smash one in to the top corner ? pic.twitter.com/HWztPiTUvv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 23, 2020
“We are not arrogant,” Klopp insisted at his pre-match press conference. “Frank was in a competitive mood, I respect that. Say what you want in that situation, pure emotion, he came to win.
“But what he has to learn is speaking about that after the game when the whistle has gone is not OK.
“Final whistle, as a real sportsperson, close the book. He didn’t do that and that is what I don’t like, honestly.
“I respect all other coaches. You know how outraged you can be sometimes. You can feel it is unfair.”
Lampard has since spoken of his regret at the language he used which has been widely circulated on social media, before again reiterating he has no problem with Klopp.
“I would have had a beer with Jurgen Klopp to toast their success,” he said.
“There were things I didn’t like from their bench, not Jurgen Klopp, but their bench. Emotions run high in this game.”
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