Frank Lampard’s Liverpool claims come as a timely reminder of why Jurgen Klopp shouldn’t be doubted

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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has told BBC Sport that Liverpool are ‘the best team in the land’ after eliminating them from the FA Cup last night.

The former England international inspired Jurgen Klopp’s second defeat in four days as goals from Willian and Ross Barkley ensured the Londoners secured their progression into the quarter-finals of the world’s oldest cup competition.

Liverpool failed to register a solitary effort on target in the second half with the European champions currently embarking on their worst run of the season that has seen them lose three of their previous four matches.

In the space of 15 days, Liverpool have been defeated in the Premier League, Champions League and the FA Cup as the club’s hopes of emulating Manchester United’s treble achievements of 1999 were firmly extinguished in the capital.

Liverpool’s German manager did rotate his side, and although it was not the fully-charged Klopp XI that one suspects he will send out against Atletico Madrid in their second leg next Wednesday the Reds still had the likes of Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk on the pitch.

And Lampard felt his side’s victory delivered the perfect performance, as they beat Liverpool on the third time of asking this season.

“Liverpool are the best team in the land. What they are doing in the league is incredible, so to win tonight was amazing,” Lampard said.

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It’s important to gain some perspective following such gut-wrenching the lows that we as supporters haven’t become too accustomed to over the previous 18 months.

In Liverpool’s last four matches across all competitions, they have scored three goals – all against West Ham – and conceded eight.

The feat of registering zero shots on target in the second half despite chasing the game. That figure was more depressing in the Champions League disappointment on Atletico Madrid’s turf, where they registered none in the whole encounter.

However, this isn’t the time for concern. Liverpool will still claim the holy grail of a first league title since 1990 and will have still treated the fan base to some of the most breathtaking football that has been seen on these shores in 30 years.

A fightback is certainly required for Klopp’s ‘mentality monsters’. Bournemouth would usually be seen as the perfect opponents to snap out of their downward spiral, but the Cherries were spirited against Chelsea and will be hopeful of becoming the team to spoil the party at Anfield on Saturday.