Frank Lampard 'amused' by Jurgen Klopp's comments on Chelsea's big spending

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has spent big in this summer's transfer window. AFP

Frank Lampard says Jurgen Klopp's comments on Chelsea's spending in the transfer window "amused" him, considering Liverpool's own expenditure in recent years that laid the foundations for last season's Premier League title triumph.

Backed by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Chelsea have spent lavishly with around £200 million (Dh940m) laid out on recruiting the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell as the London club look to improve on last season's fourth-placed finish.

By contrast champions Liverpool have only added left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas from Olympiakos, with Klopp saying that Liverpool would not be spending a similar amount as Chelsea as they were a "different kind" of club, one "not owned by countries or an oligarch".

"I found it slightly amusing because when you talk about the owners of clubs, I don't think it matters what line of business they come from," Lampard said. "We are talking about some very rich owners in the Premier League."

Liverpool broke the transfer record for a defender in 2017 when they paid Southampton £75 million for Virgil van Dijk and spent £66.8 million on Alisson a year later, making the former Roma player the most expensive goalkeeper of all time.

That record was short-lived, however, with Chelsea paying Athletic Bilbao £71.6 million to lure Kepa Arrizabalaga to Stamford Bridge a month later.

Lampard said without spending big, Liverpool would not have the calibre of players they had that saw them romp to the title by a record 18 points.

"Liverpool's story is a fantastic story of a club over the five years that Klopp has been there that they have managed to get recruitment right to a really high level," Lampard said.

"You can go through the Liverpool players, Van Dijk, Alisson, Fabinho, [Naby] Keita, Sadio Mane, [Mohamed] Salah, incredible players that came at a very high price."

Chelsea open their Premier League campaign with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday.

Liverpool got their title defence off to a winning start with a 4-3 win over promoted Leeds United on Saturday.

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