Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hit back at Frank Lampard for accusing the champions of becoming “arrogant” since winning the Premier League, saying the Chelsea coach still has a lot to learn.
Lampard became embroiled in a row with Klopp’s assistant, Pepijn Lijnders, while Liverpool were beating Chelsea 5-3 on Wednesday, a video of which was widely viewed on social media.
Speaking after the game, Lampard said: “Fair play to Liverpool Football Club, they’ve won the league, but also don’t get too arrogant with it.”
After Liverpool trained for their final game of the season, away to Newcastle on Sunday, Klopp revealed he was unhappy the former England midfielder chose to air his grievances after the match.
“You cannot hit me and my bench with something like that because we are not arrogant,” Klopp said.
“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.
“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.”
Klopp said Lampard could have chosen to “close the book” on the argument, but didn't.
“And that is what I don’t like,” he added.
Liverpool v Chelsea player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson - 6: Other than a save to deny Willian the only other time the Brazilian touched the ball was picking it out of his net three times. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8: If there is a finer striker of the ball in the Premier League he's being well hidden. Scored an exquisite free kick and also registered his 12th league assist of the campaign. AFP -
Joe Gomez - 6: Engineered plenty of attacks from the back but a lack of communication with his partner Van Dijk resulted in them both on the deck and Chelsea scoring a third goal. AFP -
Virgil van Dijk - 6: Given how brilliant he has been over the past two seasons the Dutchman's shortcomings over the past three games can easily be forgiven. EPA -
Andrew Robertson - 8: Never happier than being part of Liverpool's attacks down the left. Ran the length of the field before supplying the cross for Liverpool's fifth. Reuters -
Fabinho - 7: The ball sticks to the Brazilian as if he has glue on his boots. AFP -
Naby Keita - 9: Got the fireworks started at Anfield with a rocket of a goal and was a constant thorn in Chelsea's side. AFP -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 7: Cracked in Liverpool's third and kept things ticking in midfield. -
Sadio Mane - 7: Some of the Senegalese forward's control was simply mesmeric at times. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 6: Wayward with his finishing but always a threat. Reuters -
Roberto Firmino - 8: Finally broke his Anfield duck with a superb header and displayed some beautiful lay-offs for his teammates. AFP -
SUBS: James Milner (on for Wijnaldum, 66') - 6: Solid as per from Mr Versatile.. Reuters -
Curtis Jones (on for Keita, 66') - 7: Covered plenty of ground and a fifth appearance of the season means he qualifies for a Premier League winner's medal. Reuters -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Salah, 79') - 6: Fresh and fast legs to get on the end of Robertson's cross to score Liverpool's fifth. Reuters -
Takumi Minamino (on for Firmino, 87') - NA: Brought on to eat up the clock. AFP -
Divock Origi (on for Mane, 87') - NA: Ran the channels well in what little time he had. EPA -
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 5: Conceded five but in fairness to the Spaniard he didn't stand a chance with any of them. Reuters -
Cesar Azpilicueta - 6: Struggled to contain Mane and had a few run-ins with the Liverpool attacker. Reuters -
Kurt Zouma - 6: Made a timely intervention to deny Salah when through on goal in the second half. AFP -
Antonio Rudiger - 6: The German was one of the most dominant centre-backs in the league pre-lockdown. Has struggled to recapture that form since the restart. EPA -
Reece James - 7: Showed Alexander-Arnold isn't the only English right-back who can deliver quality balls into the box. EPA -
Marcos Alonso - 6: Spanish wing-back looked better going towards Liverpool's goal than back towards his own. Reuters -
Jorginho - 7: A quality passing display from Chelsea's midfield metronome. AFP -
Mateo Kovacic - 6: Right to feel aggrieved after replays showed he won the ball in a tussle with Mane but was penalised for a foul. Alexander-Arnold banged in the free-kick and Chelsea were always chasing the game from that moment. AFP -
Mason Mount - 5: Wasted two opportunities to supply Giroud in the first half from promising positions. Made way in the second half and Chelsea improved as a result. AFP -
Willian - 6: The Brazilian had a quiet game by his standards and his usually assured touch deserted him when presented with a chance in the first half. PA -
Olivier Giroud - 7: Attacked every ball with gusto and showed excellent reactions to force home Chelsea's first after Alisson's initial save from Willian. EPA -
SUBS: Tammy Abraham (on for Giroud, 59') - 6: Took his goal well to reduce the arrears. Reuters -
Christian Pulisic (on for Mount, 59') - 8: The American terrorised Liverpool's defence, assisting for Abraham's goal and then slamming home Chelsea's third. Could have had another soon after but finish was poor. Reuters -
Callum Hudson-Odoi (on for Willian, 59) - 7: Another of the Chelsea troika introduced on the hour who made an impact, crossing for his fellow winger for Chelsea's third. Reuters -
Emerson (on for Alonso, 88') - NA: No time to make an impact. Reuters
“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.”
Lampard repeatedly used expletives to vent his anger at the Liverpool bench and, with Anfield being virtually empty because no fans are allowed, much of the argument could be heard clearly.
Lampard said on Friday he was sorry for his actions. “I think in terms of the language I used, I do regret that," he said.
