Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FRANK HAS GOT A LOT TO LEARN SAYS KLOPP
FRANK LAMPARD has recalled the “sliding doors moment” when everything changed for Chelsea.
It was on May 11, 2003, when Chelsea beat Liverpool in a winners-takes-all showdown at Stamford Bridge to qualify for the Champions League.
Blues boss Lampard played in that 2-1 triumph, in which Jesper Gronkjaer (left) scored the winner, and the theory goes that, if they had missed out, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich might not have bought the club.
Chelsea now face another crucial match with a Champions League place at stake. And, just like in 2003, a draw will be enough to clinch a top-four place but they could miss out if they lose and other results go against them.
It is just as huge now for Chelsea to get into the top four as it was back then in terms of prestige. And the financial rewards and incentives are even greater now than in 2003, especially when it comes to recruiting big names like Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz.
Lampard said: “It was the first time in my career that I could feel the tension at that level because of what was at stake. It was made very clear to us that if we did not win that game and qualify for the Champions
League the club would go in a very different direction.
“The direction we’ve seen it go is incredible since Roman Abramovich walked through the door. I remember the build-up and the feeling among the players and fans.
“After that I had it is over. Frank has a lot of time to learn as he is a young coach, but that is what he has to learn most.
“I have no problem with what he said during the game, but at the final whistle you have to close the book and he didn’t do that. That’s what I don’t like.”
Lampard became incensed after Trent Alexander-arnold scored from a free-kick awarded against Mateo Kovacic.
He exchanged insults with Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders (below), and then turned on Klopp, telling the German coach to “f*** off” after being urged to cool it. Later he accused Klopp’s coaching staff of being “arrogant,” saying: “Some of the bench, it’s a fine line when you are winning – and they’ve won the league, fair play – but don’t get arrogant with it.”
That riled Klopp. “You cannot hit me and my bench with something like that because we are not arrogant,” he said.
“We are not arrogant, we are pretty much the opposite. But in a moment like this in an argument you want to say something to hurt the other person.
“The only reason I speak now about it – otherwise there would be no words from me at all after the game – is because he spoke about it afterwrds and that’s not OK, so I feel the need to explain.
“I said a lot in the past out of pure emotion. He came here to win the game or get a point, to seal Champions League qualification, and I respect that. But finish the book.”
Klopp was asked if he ever had made the same mistake as a young manager starting out in Germany. “Probably, yes. During the game for sure, after the game I don’t remember.
“You look at yourself and know how outraged you can be in different situations. That happens.”