Premier League champions Liverpool will come out to play under pressure at Anfield on Thursday against Burnley. Not only because Jürgen Klopp's team is 6 points behind Manchester United (leader) and 4 points behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City (2nd) and Leicester (3rd). Also because the 'reds' have four straight games without winning in the English championship (for the first time since 2017) and three consecutive games without scoring (for the first time since March 2005).
Liverpool cannot fail against Burnley (second to last, 4 points from relegation) and yesterday Klopp, coach of the 'reds', asked for calm instead of alarmism about the situation of his team. The German said his players' performance has not declined despite Liverpool falling from first to fourth place in the Premier.
Klopp said his players are not tired but they need to improve to take advantage of their opportunities. “We didn't score much, but that doesn't mean our performances have dropped. We know that we are not where we want to be, but the reasons are not too important, ”said the coach on Wednesday about the situation of his team.
Klopp spoke of the ‘citizen’ John Stones: “Look at John Stones at Manchester City, he scores three goals and you can't explain it. We have to stay calm. ” Klopp stressed that this year the title race “is different, we are all very close and we must be prepared.” He hopes that Joel Matip can play today and believes that Diogo Jota can return in a few weeks
Sean Dyche, Burnley coach, acknowledged at the time that he grew up as a Liverpool fan. But this Thursday obviously his team, in the fight against relegation, aspires to prolong the crisis of the Premier League champion.
Liverpool-Burnley
Anfield, 21.00 (DAZN)
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Jones; Salah, Firmino and Mané
Burnley: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Brady, Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil; Barnes and Wood
Referee: Mike Dean