Klopp and Wilder to reunite again after Liverpool boss told he's "selfish"
Sheffield United have given Chris Wilder his old job back - and that could be bad news for Jurgen Klopp's title chasers.
Liverpool travel to Bramall Lane on Wednesday to face the Premier League's bottom club, who picked up just five points from their first 14 games this term. That dismal form led to the end of Paul Heckingbottom's time in charge and the return of beloved ex-boss Wilder.
Liverpool fans will be worried about that so-called 'new manager bounce', but they will also be concerned about Klopp's relationship with Wilder. The two mangers clashed throughout Wilder's first spell in charge of the Blades between May 2016 and March 2021.
Wilder guided United to the League One title during his first season in Bramall Lane's dugout before winning promotion to the Premier League in May 2019. Although Wilder and Klopp clashed, they also bonded. Here's the story of their rivalry so far...
Mutual respect
The first meeting between the two managers was in September 2019, when Liverpool won 1-0 at Bramall Lane. It was a slightly fortunate victory, as Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson spilled Georginio Wijnaldum's tame strike in for the only goal of the game.
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Klopp immediately won Wilder's respect by visiting his office afterwards. "Jurgen popped in after the game, which was refreshing," Wilder revealed. "It’s an amazing league to be in but that’s a little thing that has slightly disappointed me because that doesn’t seem to be a given now. It was really interesting to hear about their recovery and their preparation.
Wilder was full of praise for Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool's win at Bramall Lane in September 2019 (Getty Images)What do you think about Chris Wilder's return to Sheffield United? Let us know in the comments below!
"Having a manager working at a top world club in the office was brilliant. At the end of the day, there are two groups of players, two groups of staff. We’re trying to win, they’re trying to win - let’s have a beer afterwards and chat about the game."
Klopp also praised United by describing them as a "proper unit". Yet he did raise some concerns. The Liverpool boss added: "The relationship between manager and players is there. He is quite animated, Chris. I thought I was loud but he is really loud."
The love continues
Despite those quotes, Klopp gushed about Wilder in February 2020. Liverpool were storming towards the Premier League title, but United were also doing well. Klopp was asked whether he was worried about being snubbed for the Manager of the Year prize.
He replied: "As I've said before, I didn't really know Chris Wilder before we played Sheffield United - now I follow Sheffield United. Not only when we play them."
Wilder was also very complementary about Klopp's side after Liverpool defeated the Blades 2-0 at Anfield in January 2020. He said: "I thought they (Liverpool) were outstanding but they didn’t have to get out of second gear or third gear."
Klopp has won all four of his meetings against Wilder's United (Getty Images)He added: "They did all the things, you talk about academy coaches and all this nonsense about technical and tactical stuff... they won every first ball, every second ball, dropped on every second ball, ran forward and ran back and they did that miles better than us."
Wilder continued: "They played in second and third gear but still had the humility and desire to do that as world champions, European champions and obviously, they’re well on the way to being Premier League champions. Thankfully we’ve played Liverpool twice.
"I wish Jurgen and Liverpool all the best, I love everything about them, the way they go about, tactical and technical players. But the top bit, the physical and mental part of it, is amazing, and if that’s good enough for them it’s certainly good enough for anybody else."
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Things get heated
United started to struggle the following season... and that's when the tables turned. A row over whether teams should be allowed to make three or five substitutions in a match unfolded. The latter rule was introduced for the final few weeks of the 2019/20 campaign, which was played in the summer after a delay caused by the Covid pandemic.
Klopp was in favour of five substitutions, but Wilder insisted the rule only benefited those teams with bigger and better squads - such as Liverpool. Wilder was asked about the rule in a press conference and said: "He (Klopp) is going to look after his own club.
"I’ve got incredible respect for these top managers because they produce top results and win things. But they’re selfish, they look after their own clubs. They’re not going to be bothered about Sheffield United, they’re not going to be bothered about England."
A week later, Liverpool were held to a draw by Brighton and Klopp took the chance to hit back at Wilder in his post-match interview. He said: "Chris Wilder or whoever, constantly say I’m selfish. I think all the things show that he’s selfish but that’s not too important."
Their relationship started deteriorate when United plummeted down the Premier League table (Getty Images)Klopp also referenced United's dreadful start to the season, which saw them pick up just two points from their first 17 league games. The Blades were midway through that dire run when Klopp spoke. He ranted: "They have three subs and one point if I am right."
Wilder also took aim at Klopp by describing him as a "world-class politician" after the easing of Covid restrictions in Liverpool allowed 2,000 fans to watch Klopp's team in action. Those restrictions weren't eased in Sheffield, leaving Bramall Lane empty.
Wilder said: "He (Klopp) is a world-class manager and a world-class politician, who cares about Liverpool. He was never going to say what about Sheffield United getting their fans back in or Newcastle or Manchester City or Manchester United or anybody else."
Friends again
Klopp's most recent meeting with Wilder came in February 2021, just a month before the latter departed Bramall Lane. Both managers tried to ease any tension before the game, which Liverpool won 2-0. "The relationship is absolutely fine," said Wilder.
"I've got nothing but admiration for Jurgen, he's a top-class manager. That's what happens, people talk and things get said. If I was precious about things being said I wouldn't be doing this job. I didn't take it personal, and I have moved on and for me to worry about stuff like that is way down the pecking order."
Klopp's answer was similar, albeit blunter. He said their relationship is "the same as other Premier League managers... no contact until game days, so nothing to worry about". But will there be any fireworks during Wednesday's match? We'll have to wait and see.
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