…as Allardyce defends action
ANDREW EKEJIUBA
New video footage has emerged of Frank Lampard’s altercation with Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool on Wednesday, with the Chelsea boss telling the German to “f*** off” and “sit down” as part of a first-half row.
The two sides met on Anfield on Wednesday to precede Liverpool’s long-awaited trophy celebration, having secured the club’s first-ever Premier League title this season.
Klopp’s Reds went on to secure a 5-3 win in an absolute 8-goal thriller, with five different Reds firing goals in the club’s final home match of the season.
Alexander-Arnold curled in a brilliant free-kick after Naby Keita’s stunning opener, and Georginio Wijnaldum made it 3-0.
After Olivier Giroud gave Chelsea hope, Roberto Firmino restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead, only for Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic to drag the visitors back into the contest.
But Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed Liverpool’s win, although Chelsea remain a point clear of fifth-placed Leicester City with one game remaining.
“It was extraordinary. Even when you say they threatened to run away with it, I felt we were in it because I could feel the way we were playing,” Lampard said.
“The first half, in terms of football, we were in it, it was a turnover and a great strike, a non-foul that goes in the top corner and then terrible from us in defending a corner.
“Other than that, we were okay, so the goal gave us hope, the lads showed great character, they’re a fantastic team and we can’t afford to make those mistakes.
“Some of the stuff I saw from our team today was resilient, was some quality and at 4-3 if we don’t concede a fifth, I felt like we were coming, but not to be.”
While the Reds’ campaign is little more than a victory parade at this point, Lampard’s Chelsea remain in a tight race for a top-four place and, more importantly, the Champions League spot that comes with it.
And Lampard’s emotions boiled over during the first half of Wednesday’s match after a foul was called on Matteo Kovacic, paving the way for a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick goal.
In the moments between the foul and the goal, Lampard got into an altercation with Klopp and the Liverpool bench, with the Chelsea boss repeatedly telling the Reds staff to “f*** off” during the exchange.
Lampard initially shouted, “How is that a foul? There’s no foul there,” before getting into a war of words with Klopp, who repeatedly told the Chelsea manager to “calm down”.
The former midfielder then took aim at Liverpool assistant, Pep Lijnders, who, moments later, enthusiastically celebrated the Alexander-Arnold goal as Lampard looked on.
Klopp attempted to defend his assistant, telling Lampard not to tell at his No. 2, with Lampard replying: “No, no, if he’s going off at me, I’ll f****** say something!”
After the match, Lampard made sure to state that he has full respect for Klopp and Liverpool, but added that the manager must make sure his side does not get too “arrogant”.
Lampard also appeared on Sadio Mane’s live stream of the post-match celebrations as he congratulated the Liverpool winger on the league title.
Longtime Premier League manager, Sam Allardyce weighed in on the incident, stating that Lampard is within his rights to call out perceived disrespect.
“I think Frank has been a lot better than I was, as a young manager I found myself a few times in front of the disciplinary committee,” Allardyce said.
“But if anybody wants to say ‘don’t get too arrogant about it’, it’s Frank isn’t it? “If it’s anybody else, they’ve not done it, but Frank’s done it all.
“So if Frank’s giving them a bit of a tip, then he’s seen something he didn’t like, something he thinks is a little bit arrogant, and he’s the one man who can mention it.
“And if it is the bench at Liverpool they should take notice of it, because Frank has done the lot.”
Speaking further to reporters after the 8-goal thriller Lampard said: “For me, it wasn’t a foul from Mateo Kovacic on Sadio Mane and there were little things that weren’t going.
“On the bench, I’ve got no problem with Jurgen Klopp, he’s managed his team and it’s fantastic.
“Some of the bench, it’s a fine line between when you’re winning and they’ve won the league, fair play to Liverpool Football Club, but also don’t get too arrogant with it. In match play you get emotional and that was it.”
Chelsea are set to face Wolves in the final game of their Premier League season, knowing that a win or draw will see them seal a top-four spot.