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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury

Sean Dyche sheds new light on infamous tunnel row with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Everton manager Sean Dyche has opened up on the angry exchange that flared up with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp two seasons ago.

The two men had a brief and heated chat in the tunnel on the stroke of half-time at Anfield back in January 2021.

Dyche's former side Burnley went on to record a shock 1-0 win in the game. But there was a feisty end to the opening period when Fabinho and Ashley Barnes challenged for an aerial ball.

READ MORE: What happens next at Everton? Moshiri question, boardroom pressure and Dyche plan

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp admission gives the game away over three missing Liverpool players

The Brazilian was hit with a yellow card and VAR checked for a potential red. As things spilled over, words and gestures were exchanged between the managers.

At the time, Klopp brushed off the small spat as "nothing", while Dyche said: "You know when we come to these places, we are allowed to actually fight and are actually allowed to try and win. That's all it was.

"It was nothing out of the normal - just two managers fighting to win a game. There's nothing wrong with that."

Speaking in his press conference today ahead of Monday's derby against Liverpool at Anfield, Dyche was asked if he is ready to renew his 'rivalry' with Klopp.

He said: "There's no renewing it. It's just two managers playing against each other's teams. There was nothing in that [incident from 2021].

"He felt my coat wasn't good like John McGinn did, and he mentioned it. And I say 'Well, you weren't the first to get there. John's already referenced my coat'. That one cleared that up.

"Look, I think fans don't mind that. They want to see two managers fight for their teams, for their clubs, standing up.

"After the game it's gone, for me it's done. That's it. End of.

"That used to be a more regular occurrence in football. Maybe not so much now. It used to be nothing [but] it makes a story."

Whether Klopp really mentioned Dyche's coat or not, the reference to Aston Villa midfield McGinn today concerns another infamous incident from the 2020/21 season.

During a 3-2 win for Burnley over Villa - also in January of 2021 - McGinn apparently took offence to touchline complaints from Dyche.

The midfielder is believed to have told Dyche to 'shut up', which prompted the opposition manager to respond: "So you've been in the Premier League for one season and you think you're proper big time, telling me to ''shut up''?"

McGinn is said to have shot back with: "You've been in the Premier League for six seasons and you're still wearing the same s*** coat."

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