LONDON • Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool would resemble a "little weak flower" should they succumb to pressure and change the style which has put them in Premier League title contention this season.
The Liverpool manager took exception to criticism of his tactics and substitutions last weekend when they drew 0-0 at Everton, and slipped behind Manchester City in the table for the first time since Dec 7.
Klopp revisited the issue at a pre-match conference ahead of Burnley's visit to Anfield today, insisting he has not curbed the Reds' attacking nature in recent away matches and it would be a sign of weakness to do so with only nine matches left.
"We do go for it but that doesn't mean we throw 11 players in their box and hope we score," he said.
"That is not how it works. That is why I was a bit disappointed in the last press conference because we don't play PlayStation (football) and you all know that.
"That is a sign of being desperate... The way we did it brought us where we are and if someone thinks we should now be 10 points ahead of City, I can't help this person.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
YESTERDAY
Cardiff 2 West Ham 0
Huddersfield 0 Bournemouth 2
Leicester 3 Fulham 1
Newcastle 3 Everton 2
Palace 1 Brighton 2
Southampton 2 Tottenham 1
Man City v Watford Late kick-off
TODAY
Liverpool v Burnley Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 8pm
Chelsea v Wolves Ch102 & Ch227, 10pm
Arsenal v Man United Ch102 & Ch227, tomorrow, 12.30am
"Let's do what we did that brought us here plus more intensity if possible, with a positive atmosphere around us, and not be this little weak flower. The target is to win the game, not to go nuts in the game."
Klopp's sparing use of winger Xherdan Shaqiri and, to a lesser extent, midfielder Naby Keita in recent weeks has prompted accusations of not taking sufficient risks.
Shaqiri had a major influence on Liverpool's 100 per cent win rate in December but has played only 210 minutes in the league this year. He was an unused substitute at Goodison Park last week.
Keita, meanwhile, has played only 82 minutes since the 3-0 win over Bournemouth early last month.
Klopp explained: "Shaq had a little injury and was out. There was something with his back and he needed a little time.
"We have to think about a lot of things before a game. We played quite a few teams with really good set pieces and we needed to make sure we had the right line-up and set-up. Naby is in a good moment and has trained well. That's it."
Striker Mohamed Salah, who won the top scorer's Golden Boot last season with 32 goals, is one goal shy of his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool. He can equal Alan Shearer's record of scoring 50 goals for a single club faster than any other player (66 games).
Although Salah has not scored in his last four games in all competitions, Klopp is unconcerned about the Egyptian's goal drought.
"He has an unbelievable record, his goals brought us where we are," the German said.
"If you are a striker or an offensive player and you have chances in a game, you want to score with them. That is clear.
ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING
Let's do what we did that brought us here plus more intensity if possible, with a positive atmosphere around us, and not be this little weak flower.
JURGEN KLOPP , Liverpool manager, on his team resembling a "little weak flower" should they change their style
"But as a manager I am more than used to it that players do not score all the time, that's how it is."
Klopp also advised the club's supporters to get a good night's sleep to improve the atmosphere at Anfield for the early kick-off today.
"We need atmosphere at 12 o'clock," he said. "If you have a ticket, go to bed at 10pm latest, don't drink and be on your toes from the first to the last second.
"We have to be really good to beat this team, (Burnley manager Sean) Dyche is doing an amazing job."
THE GUARDIAN, REUTERS
LIVERPOOL V BURNLEY
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 8pm
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea squad 'respect' Maurizio Sarri's authority despite goalkeeper row says David Luiz. Sarri's position is precarious after a run of poor results, but the 60-year-old
Will Abramovich really want to keep a hold of Sarri after
Football: Sacked Puel says it was an 'honour' to manage
Cincinnati Reds to add minor-league team in Appalachian League. The new team will be owned by the Reds, and will represent a step below fellow Rookie-Advanced squad Billings.
TEAM NEWS: Reds retain Kerevi, warned of Shark attack if
PORTO (REUTERS) - Porto converted a penalty awarded following a VAR review three minutes from the end of extra time to beat AS Roma 3-1 and reach the Champions League quarter-finals after an epic
Porto go through with extra time VAR penalty - The Huffington
Rangers sign Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis in loan moves
Speed is key for Socceroos - straitstimes.com
Barca on a mission to right the wrongs BARCELONA • Clement Lenglet ought to be unscarred by Barcelona's Champions League failure last season, but disappointment reverberates around the club to the extent that he feels it too.
Mission news - NewsLocker
Jun 06, 2019 · Players, both American and international, who will be worth watching at the World Cup in France: Julie Ertz — Now playing in the midfield, she is the link between the Americans' offense and defense.
Players to watch in France - straitstimes.com
Eden Hazard hit the winning penalty for Chelsea to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 in a shootout on Thursday and reach the Europa League final where they will meet fellow Londoners Arsenal. The lively semi-final contest had finished 1-1 after the sides had produced the same scoreline in Frankfurt a week ago.
Chelsea reach Europa League final after penalty win
Spurs shine to hit Everton for six. Everton's English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford gestures during the English Premier League football match between Everton and
Tottenham shine to hit Everton for six - gulf-times.com
Mar 14, 2019 · England will have four representatives in Friday's quarter-final draw and, though keen to avoid an all-Premier League affair, Milner believes all of Europe view Liverpool as a team to avoid.
Milner on teeing up Lovren: I needed to keep calm - Liverpool FC
Petr Cech backing young Gunners to plug gap left by Per Mertesacker injury - and keeper says Arsene Wenger won't buy for the sake of it. Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker out for five months with
[Image] Koscielny out, Jenkinson starts | How Arsenal should
Nov 29, 2018 · Pochettino says Spurs can beat Barcelona and make knockout round This article is more than 5 months old • Champions League win over Inter gives Tottenham belief
Champions League final: 'Liverpool have more weapons than
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen