Roy Keane has shot down comparisons between Frank Lampard at Chelsea and Jurgen Klopp's opening seasons at Liverpool.
Prior to winning the Champions League and Premier League, Klopp was afforded time at Anfield to get things right, with the Reds finishing eighth after he was appointed manager in 2015.
Consecutive fourth-placed finishes followed before Klopp was able to fully transform his side into a team capable of regularly challenging for trophies.
This example of patience is often used when talking about Lampard's time at Chelsea, with the Blues proving inconsistent this season despite spending big money on the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz in the summer.
The Londoners' inconsistent form and lack of title challenge has prompted speculation that Roman Abramovich may well pull the trigger on Lampard's time at the club far earlier than many had anticipated.
Yet Lampard himself argued that Klopp's eventual success at Liverpool shows it can take time for a manager to get things right.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Lampard said Liverpool's success with Klopp is an example of rewarding patience in a manager.
He said: "I don’t see that you can go 0-100 or fourth to performing like Liverpool with their consistency levels last year.
"There has to be a process in the middle of that and the process is sometimes tough. You would’ve seen that perhaps in year one, two or three at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, year one under Pep Guardiola.
"Of course, I’m quoting big names that have been successful at big teams and we’re not there yet, so maybe I shouldn’t quote it too much, but we have to fight towards that direction in our own way.
"There are going to be moments of pain, and that’s football.
"If you think you’re going to go and be consistent this year just because you brought in some new players who are yet to settle and we’ve still got young players who are playing against top teams in the Premier League every weekend, you’re just not living in the real world."
Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane said Lampard's comparison to Klopp does not make sense, due to the fact Klopp had a track record at Borussia Dortmund before arriving at Anfield, whereas Lampard's managerial experience amounts to a single season at Derby County.
He said: "If you look at Frank’s situation, coming into management, he’s new to it, he’s 42 years of age and we’re comparing Klopp.
"Remember Klopp came from Dortmund and won big prizes over there.
"I know that’s the name of the game, the Ancelottis in the world, the Mourinhos, Pep - he’s up against all these managers and we’re saying he needs patience and time, but these lads have got a CV behind them, they’ve won the big prizes.
"He won’t get the time Klopp got."
