05 April 2024 , 12:24
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Jurgen Klopp got the better of Chris Wilder on Thursday, with the duo having had a tempestuous relationship for much of the past five years.
They have mostly been fighting at opposite ends of the table since Wilder arrived in the Premier League in 2019. And it is exactly that circumstance which led to the start of their feud.
Wilder led Sheffield United to promotion to the top flight in 2019, while Klopp has been Liverpool's boss since 2015. The Blades were a surprise package during their first Premier League season, with the Reds going on to win the title that year.
Klopp has won all of his meetings with Wilder, but the on-pitch action has often been overshadowed by the actions of the two managers. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the duo's relationship over the years.
Feud begins
The feud began during Project Restart as the Premier League returned from the Covid-19 enforced shutdowns. Klopp was one of the managers in favour of increasing the number of subs available to managers, with Wilder fiercely opposed.
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"Cards on the table, he's going to look after his own club. I've got incredible respect for these top managers because they produce top results and win things. But they're selfish, they look after their own clubs," Wilder said.
"They're not going to be bothered about Sheffield United, they're not going to be bothered about England. They're going to be bothered about Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, which I understand and respect.
"I would be the same, but I'm bothered about Sheffield United and it doesn't help us to have five subs. I don't think the common man is going to be too sympathetic to the mental aspect of players on £250,000 a week not getting into an 18-man squad. That's b*****s as far as I'm concerned."
Klopp fires back
Klopp hit back at Wilder in a fiery interview following a draw with Brighton (BT Sport)Understandably, Klopp did not take kindly to being labelled 'selfish'. He fired back at Wilder following a draw with Brighton, with the Reds playing that game on a short turnaround.
"Chris Wilder or whoever, constantly says I’m selfish. I think all the things show that he’s selfish but that’s not too important. Ask Chris Wilder how we can work on that. I don't know how often I have to say it, but you pick the 12:30 kick offs," Klopp said.
"Between now and December there is one more Wednesday, Saturday. These are difficult times. I am just saying it how it is. Wednesday to Saturday 12:30 is really dangerous.
"When we had the talk between the managers a week ago, it was 15-5 if not 16-4 for five subs, since then nothing happened. You need 14 votes but Chris Wilder said I am selfish. I think all the things he said is selfish too. But it was a similar situation for me at Mainz as well."
Amends are made
Wilder attempted to make amends in a press conference in 2021 (PA)While the feud did spark a war of words, Wilder soon sought to quash any suggestions of any lingering animosity. Ahead of his side's clash with the Reds in February 2019, Wilder lauded his opposition's manager.
"I've got nothing but admiration for Jurgen, he's a top-class manager," he said. "That's what happens, people talk and things get said. If I was precious about things being said I wouldn't be doing this job.
"If I took notice of people in the media and what the majority have said through my time as a manager I don't think I would be sat here and I think that's the same for the manager at Liverpool.- He's an incredibly talented manager, he's a winner and we all try to win.
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"He has done that in incredible fashion. Heat of the moment, or whatever. If it was personal, I didn't take it personal, and I have moved on and for me to worry about stuff like that is way down the pecking order."
Rivalry renewed
Wilder and Klopp have renewed their rivalry this season (Andrew Powell/Getty Images)The Blades would be relegated in 2022, with Wilder sacked earlier that season. But he was brought back to Bramall Lane just before they faced Liverpool in December, with Klopp appearing to make a dig at Wilder's ability to turn their fortunes around.
"He has a press conference now, training after that, maybe another session tomorrow and analysis. We have to focus on ourselves, I don't think he will change too much in such a short period," Klopp said in his press conference ahead of the game.
"I remember how they played under Chris before. We can bin our analysis! I was sitting in the office yesterday when someone said it could happen. Our late winner was very important. If you do that every week you'll likely win the league."
Wilder's parting message
Liverpool won that match with ease, with the reverse fixture coming on Thursday night. The Reds survived a scare to eventually claim a comfortable 3-1 win and Wilder had a message for his rivals after the game.
He made it clear that he harboured no ill will towards Klopp and was overheard by a number of sources saying to a Liverpool employee as he boarded the coach home: “I hope you win it – I mean that.”
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