Chelsea: Frank Lampard has a new rival in Jurgen Klopp

Chelsea has reclaimed its rightful place atop the Premier League villains list. Therefore, Frank Lampard needs a signature rival; it could be Jurgen Klopp.

It’s no secret Frank Lampard—thanks in part to Roman Abramovich’s checkbook and Marina Granovskaia’s negotiating skills—has restored the supporters’ connection with the club in the last year or so. Maurizio Sarri fractured the fans’ relationship with Chelsea and the sides were beginning to grow apart before the club legend’s appointment last summer. Therefore, it’s only natural Lampard gets credit after rekindling that flame, in addition to the laundry list of other things he’s achieved in west London.

For these reasons, one could say Lampard is Chelsea’s modern day superhero. Titles like that often come with pressure, which the gaffer acknowledged in his latest presser, but these stories also include an antagonist. Surely Ole Gunnar Solskjaer represents that antihero, right? Wrong. While Jurgen Klopp may only hold his post on Merseyside for a few more seasons, odds are he’ll outlast Solskjaer at United. Further, the animosity between Lampard and Klopp is much greater, making for a more intriguing storyline.

Let’s start off by clarifying one thing: Klopp and Lampard have nothing but the utmost respect for one another as professionals. When it comes to managerial rivalries, this one is no Jose Mourinho vs. Pep Guardiola, but there is history and some tension to it.

The feud arguably began just a few weeks ago when Lampard and Klopp’s staff went at it on the touchline during a testy match at Anfield. It was not only the night of Liverpool’s trophy ceremony, but also a massive match for the Blues, who were looking to secure a top four spot during the Englishman’s first season in charge. Although Lampard was quick to apologize and move on from the oral row, Klopp was a bit more vocal about his displeasure with his counterpart. Regardless, the two hashed it out in the end and have continued to praise one another since. This ‘master versus apprentice’ moment will ultimately be looked back on as the catalyst for this competition.

As time goes on, the rivalry will intensify. Chelsea has now gotten a foot in the door that previously separated the Premier League’s elites from the rest of the bunch. As the Blues and Manchester United fight to close the gap between themselves, Liverpool and Manchester City, the games will become more ardent. This means more competition, greater intensity and higher stakes as Liverpool defends its crown.

Multiple parallels in their managerial journeys make the spotlight even brighter. As Lampard begins to mold a team after what Klopp did at Liverpool a few years ago, the threat grows larger to the title holders. This becomes even scarier in the eyes of the German manager when he realizes the Blues are not only rebuilding over a few years like he did, but also poaching his transfer targets.

Naturally, being the passionate man he is, Klopp had to comment on Chelsea’s summer spending spree for aforementioned reasons. He pulled his signature sympathy card to try and make his Reds—who have won a Premier League and Champions League title in the last two seasons—underdogs once again. At this point, he’s throwing Steven Gerrard at the wall to see if it’ll stick as he tries to create a narrative that’ll motivate his causeless squad.

Only this time, he took it a step too far. Klopp was highly critical of Chelsea’s purchases this summer, despite the fact Liverpool made similar moves a few windows ago. The Blues are simply spending the money they received in the Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata sales, which can be likened to the Reds spending Philippe Coutinho cash in the 2017/18 and ’18/19 seasons. Yet, the German gaffer insisted his club does not do deals in the manner in which Chelsea does. Let’s face it, Klopp overstepped and it’s unlikely Lampard takes too kindly to the comments. Regardless of how he retaliates in the public eye—if at all—the Liverpool manager’s ignorant comments add fuel to the fire.

Tensions between the two coaches and their clubs are rising. Therefore, it’s only natural the sides meet again in a little over a week. It’s turning into a rivalry powered by condensed fixtures, touchline antics and a willingness to stop at nothing to win. Klopp and Lampard may act friendly with one another, but all admiration is thrown out the metaphorical window once each steps foot in their respective dugouts. If the storied history and hatred of Liverpool and Chelsea needed a modern twist, it now has one.