Liverpool enjoyed the perfect first half in their final home match of the season against Chelsea on Wednesday night.The Reds were 3-1 up at half-time thanks to three brilliant goals from Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum.Keita broke the deadlock with a 25-yard rocket in the 23rd minute before Alexander-Arnold banged in yet another inch-perfect free-kick 15 minutes later.The hosts then added gloss to the half-time scoreline when Wijnaldum rifled the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga from close range, although Olivier Giroud pulled one back for the Blues moments before the whistle was blown.On the night that Liverpool will finally lift the Premier League trophy, this was a better 45-minute display than even Jurgen Klopp would have anticipated.It was a hard watch for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who was involved in a heated touchline spat with Klopp shortly before Alexander-Arnold’s goal.
Per journalist Matt Critchley, the altercation started after a tackle by Mateo Kovacic on Sadio Mane.Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders reportedly jumped up and shouted at Chelsea’s bench and this led to Lampard and Klopp’s verbal spat.
Watch the altercation between the two managers here…
After things calmed down a bit, Lampard then watched on as Alexander-Arnold smashed in a delightful free-kick.
It’s fair to say that wouldn’t have helped his mood.
In fairness to Klopp, though, BBC Sport journalist Ben Ramsdale reports that the Liverpool boss told his colleagues to calm down after Alexander-Arnold's free-kick flew in, presumably to avoid tensions from rising further.