The ex-West Ham boss called out the Liverpool icon after a war of words with Frank Lampard escalated during a Premier League clash
Harry Redknapp on day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Thursday March 16, 2023.
Harry Redknapp was unhappy with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp(Image: PA)
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Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was once at the mercy of Harry Redknapp's fury following a bust-up between the German icon and Frank Lampard. Liverpool will face West Ham on Sunday with Redknapp and Lampard having strong ties to the Hammers, with Redknapp managing the club from 1994-2001 and Lampard playing for the Irons from 1995-2001
The incident occurred when Klopp's Liverpool faced off with Chelsea in July 2020. At the time, the UK was in the firm grip of the Covid-19 pandemic and Premier League games were played in front of thousands of empty seats.
Ex-England international Lampard was in charge of the Blues when the two teams met. Klopp had just brought Liverpool their first top-flight title in 30 years.
The two clashed on the touchline and tempers soon flared. After a free-kick was awarded when Mateo Kovacic brought down Sadio Mane just outside the area, Lampard took exception with the Liverpool bench and went on an X-rated tirade against Klopp and his staff.
Trent Alexander-Arnold then stepped up and scored the free-kick to give Liverpool a 2-0 win with the Reds eventually running out 5-3 winners. Lampard later warned Klopp not to be "too arrogant" as the former midfielder also made it clear that he felt a member of Klopp's backroom staff had "crossed the line".
Having discussed the mini saga with the media at full-time, Lampard was then the subject of criticism from the Liverpool boss for making their war of words a public matter.
"Frank was in competitive mood, I respect that," Klopp said. "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."
His comments didn't go down well with Lampard's uncle and fellow Premier League icon Redknapp. "Frank has been around professional football since he was a toddler," Redknapp told The Sun.
Frank Lampard argues with Jurgen Klopp
Lampard told Liverpool not to get "too arrogant" after winning the Premier League(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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"He doesn't need advice from anyone, although I've lots of respect for Klopp. Frank is very calm usually, he doesn't tend to get involved in things like this. For him to react like that, it must have been something to really wind him up."
Soon after the heated exchange, Lampard expressed his regret over the clash and specifically the explicit language he used.
Sky Sports later released a clip which had audio of the incident. During it, Lampard says: "That’s not a f*****g foul. I’m not asking you, I’m asking him to shut up!"
He then turns to Klopp and adds: "Shut up. F*** off you as well. Tell them to show some respect. Sit down." The then-Liverpool boss then gestures to his staff to sit down, which he repeated following the goal.
The Chelsea legend did go on to make clear what it was that sparked his fury, adding: "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.
Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp shake hands
Lampard insisted he had no lasting issue with Klopp after the final whistle(Image: Phil Noble/Pool via Getty Images)
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"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."
Months later, Lampard admitted he was "embarrassed" about the whole debacle, telling the High Performance Podcast: "Yeah, I did regret that.
"And when that broke [audio of the clash] the next day – I clearly felt it as I was doing it – but when it broke the next day and a friend of mine sent it to me in the morning, I was a bit embarrassed by it."
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