Jurgen Klopp feud with 'selfish' Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder to be reignited after previous clashes

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is set to reignite his feud with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder.

Sheffield United have reappointed former manager Chris Wilder to succeed Paul Heckingbottom on an 18-month deal.

The 56-year-old enjoyed five years in charge of Sheffield United between 2016 and 2021, guiding them from League One to the Premier League and claiming a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League, before leaving the following season.

Wilder will be assisted by Alan Knill, Matt Prestridge and Keith Andrews and will be in the technical area for Wednesday's home fixture against Liverpool.

That game will see Liverpool manager Klopp reignite a past feud with Wilder, with the two managers having clashed throughout the Blades manager’s first spell in charge between May 2016 and March 2021.

Having expressed mutual respect for one another for years, in 2020 they were involved in a public row regarding whether teams should be allowed to make three or five substitutions in a match.

Klopp was in favour of five substitutions, but Wilder insisted the rule only benefited bigger and better squads such as Liverpool’s.

After being asked about the rule in a press conference he said: "He (Klopp) is 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. They’re not going to be bothered about Sheffield United, they’re not going to be bothered about England."

A week later, Klopp hit back at Wilder. He said: “Chris Wilder or whoever, constantly say I’m selfish. I think all the things show that he’s selfish but that’s not too important."

Klopp also referenced The Blades poor start to the season, where they had picked up just two points from their first 17 league games.

The German said: "They have three subs and one point if I am right."

Wilder also took aim at Klopp, describing him as a "world-class politician" after the easing of Covid restrictions in Liverpool allowed 2,000 fans to watch Liverpool in action. Said restrictions had not been eased in Sheffield, leaving Bramall Lane empty.

Wilder said: "He (Klopp) is a world-class manager and a world-class politician, who cares about Liverpool. He was never going to say what about Sheffield United getting their fans back in or Newcastle or Manchester City or Manchester United or anybody else."