Jurgen Klopp hit back at Frank Lampard and warned the Chelsea boss he has much to learn after calling the Reds ‘arrogant’ at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The champions lifted the Premier League trophy after their 5-3 victory over Lampard’s side, but tensions boiled over in the first half.
An animated Lampard looked upset by something that the Liverpool bench said
Lampard launched a string of expletives at the Liverpool bench when reacting to Sadio Mane winning the free-kick that led to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal that put the home side 2-0 up.
The Stamford Bridge chief later warned Liverpool ‘don’t get too arrogant’ in interviews after the fiery clash, and that’s what Klopp has a problem with.
The Reds boss used his Friday press conference to hit back at Lampard’s ‘arrogant’ jibe, insisting his counterpart still has a lot to learn.
“You cannot hit me and my bench with something like that because we are not arrogant,” he said.
Klopp urged Lampard to calm down on the night
“Frank was obviously in a really competitive mood and I respect that a lot. From my point of view in this sort of situation you can say pretty much what you want. For me, after the game it is completely over.
“I said a lot in the past because it is pure emotion, he came here to win the game or get a point, to make Champions League qualification, and 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.
“In a moment like this in an argument you want to say something to hurt the other person.
“I have no problem with that but at the final whistle close the book and he didn’t do that and that is what I don’t like.
Lampard insists there are no issues with the Liverpool boss
“Speaking afterwards about it like this, that’s not okay, Frank has to learn this and he has a lot of time to learn as he is a young coach.
“During the game, words used no problem at all but final whistle… we are not arrogant, we are pretty much the opposite.”
Meanwhile, Lampard admits regrets over swearing at the Liverpool bench, but insists they crossed a line.
“I’ve seen the video and I was obviously there,” said Lampard.
“I think in terms of the language I used, I do regret that, because I think these things get replayed a lot on social media. I’ve got two young daughters who are on social media, so I do 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.
“But what I felt was, and I want to be clear about this actually, that some of the reports were that I was upset with the celebrating of the Liverpool team. Far from it.
Lampard, who’s been a coach for two years, has a lot to learn, according to Klopp
“I think 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 are talking they will celebrate one more time with their fans.”
Insisting he has no problem with Liverpool manager Klopp, Lampard continued: “I would have had a beer with Jurgen Klopp after the game and toasted the performance of what they’ve done this year.
“But there were things on the line I didn’t like from their bench, not Jurgen Klopp, people behind the bench, which I felt crossed the line, and that’s what got me agitated.
“But it’s done, it’s done. Emotions run high, and amongst most managers, players and fans in this game. As I say I regret the language, and we move on.”
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Chelsea host Wolves on Sunday in the Premier League’s final round, where a point would be enough to secure Champions League qualification for next term.
N’Golo Kante could yet feature against the Molineux men, as the France midfielder continues to shake off his latest hamstring issue.
The World Cup winner has now missed five matches since picking up the problem in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Watford at Stamford Bridge on July 4.
But Lampard revealed Kante returned to full training for the first time on Friday, as he inches back to full fitness.
“There’s a possibility that he’ll feature, he’s trained, probably for the first time, towards or at match pace this morning,” said Lampard.
“So it’s a decision I’ll have to make, talking to him, with the medical team, to see if he’s ready to start.”