Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has delivered his verdict on Frank Lampard's Chelsea tenure ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton. Lampard took over from Rafael Benitez as Toffees manager at the end of January and is battling against relegation with a huge test against their title-chasing rivals on the horizon.
Chelsea too are in action on Sunday with Thomas Tuchel's side taking on West Ham at Stamford Bridge. But for Chelsea, the focus will be on building momentum ahead of an FA Cup final with Klopp's side in a re-match of the Carabao Cup final from earlier in the season.
Tuchel was appointed Blues boss after Lampard was sacked in January 2021 after 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge and by the end of the season had led them to a second Champions League title and an FA Cup final. It is a decision that has been emphatically vindicated, with a UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup following this season.
During his time at Chelsea, Lampard was not quiet when it came to voicing his opinion on the touchline. One of his most infamous clashes came with Klopp at Anfield in the 2019-20 campaign, a game Liverpool won 5-3 en route to the title. But Klopp as revealed he retains a lot of respect for the job Lampard did in west London.
"I really thought that Frank did a really good job at Chelsea," Klopp said in an interview with Sky Sports. "I liked how they played. A club with massive expectations, so you can be first, second, third and, all of a sudden, if you don't win the Champions League or whatever with the old ownership you were out of the job. Thomas [Tuchel] has come there, a really good decision for Chelsea, but I really like what Frank did."
