Remembering when Klopp accused Lampard of breaking football's unwritten rule

24 February 2024 , 08:00

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Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard were involved in a touchline spat during a Premier League match in July 2020 (Image: Getty Images)

It has been almost four years since Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard were involved in a touchline spat during an eight-goal thriller between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Klopp's side ran out 5-3 winners over Lampard's men in July 2020 on the night Liverpool celebrated receiving the Premier League title for the first time in the club's history. Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored for the Reds, while Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic netted for the Blues on a dramatic evening.

However, tempers flared on the touchline as both managers locked horns. Lampard was unhappy with some members of the Liverpool bench and fired an X-rated rant in the direction of the home dugout. Meanwhile, Klopp believes Lampard broke football's unwritten rule during the match at Anfield.

Speaking at the time, Klopp said: "You cannot hit me with something like that. We are not arrogant. Frank was in competitive mood, I respect that. Say what you want in that situation, pure emotion, he came to win.

"But what he has to learn is speaking about that after the game when the whistle has gone is not OK. Final whistle, as a real sportsperson... close the book and he didn't do that and that is what I don't like, honestly. I only speak now because he spoke afterwards."

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Lampard added: "I've seen the video, I was there. In terms of language used, I regret it because I've got two young daughters on social media. In terms of passion to defend my team? No.

"I could have handled it differently but some of the reports were I was upset with the celebrations. Far from it. They can celebrate like every goal. I'd have had a beer with Jurgen Klopp after the game but there were things on the bench, not from Klopp, that I felt crossed a line. I regret the language but we'll move on."

Jurgen Klopp suggested Frank Lampard broke football's unwritten rule when Liverpool played Chelsea in July 2020 (Getty Images)

This weekend, Liverpool and Chelsea go head to head in the Carabao Cup final in the 11th meeting since the Reds' 5-3 victory during the 2019-20 season. As well as playing each other in the Premier League, the two faced off in both domestic finals two years ago, with Klopp's men winning each of them on penalties.

It could also be the final time Klopp faces Chelsea as Liverpool manager, considering the fact they have faced each other twice in the top flight already, with the most recent coming last month in a 4-1 win for the Reds. It was a comfortable victory for Klopp's side in the end as they ramped up their title charge.

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Kieran King