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Attendance: 53,310
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Premier League | Gameweek 30
Mar 10, 2019 at 12pm UK
 
Burnley logo

4-2

Firmino (19', 67'), Mane (29', 93')
FT(HT: 2-1)

People have to keep calm, says Barnes as criticism of Klopp's approach grows

People have to keep calm, says Barnes as criticism of Klopp's approach grows
© Reuters
The Reds have drawn four of their last six Premier League games.

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes believes the club can still win the Premier League and called for calm amid growing criticism of Jurgen Klopp’s approach.

Four draws in the last six league matches have handed the initiative to Manchester City, with Klopp’s midfield coming in for most of the scrutiny after failing to create scoring chances.

Since Boxing Day midfield has accounted for just one of the 22 goals Liverpool have scored in the league – Georginio Wijnaldum’s strike in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth a month ago.

It is why so many Liverpool fans are desperate for the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who played his first 45 minutes of competitive action for the under-23s at Derby on Friday.

However, Barnes insists critics should be looking at the bigger picture.

“With regards to the lack of creativity and negative perception of Liverpool – we are one point off the top so therefore much better than we were last year when we weren’t being criticised,” he told Press Association Sport at a Show Racism the Red Card event at Anfield.

Georginio Wijnaldum's goal against Bournemouth is the only one Liverpool have scored from midfield since Boxing Day
Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal against Bournemouth is the only one Liverpool have scored from midfield since Boxing Day (Peter Byrne/PA)

“People have to keep calm. We can still win the league. Maybe we are defending better, which is why we are not being more creative.

“We were more creative last year, but we were conceding more goals.

“The balance is important, the balance is right. If we stay calm and stay together we still have a chance.”

Manager Jurgen Klopp is prepared for a tough test at Anfield on Sunday against a Burnley side who made life very difficult for them in the 3-1 win at Turf Moor three months ago.

It was a game which was notable for the physicality of the Clarets players – something Klopp remarked upon afterwards.

Having watched Burnley beat Tottenham last month he is wary of the threat they will pose.

“They are so consistent with what they are doing,” he added.

“Burnley stand for a specific way to play: very physical, very intense, really well-organised, set-pieces brilliant, chasing each ball.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is wary of the threat posed by Burnley
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is wary of the threat posed by Burnley (Peter Byrne/PA)

“The game at Turf Moor is not the most important for us to analyse. We need to create, we need to have ideas, be lively but patient as well.

“Historically against Burnley it is always difficult because they have a high motivation level and they are always fighting in a game.

“When you analyse the last three or four games you have to say, ‘Respect’. They beat Tottenham and that doesn’t happen too many times in the year.

“I am sure they are looking forward to Sunday’s game as they feel they have a chance and we have to make sure that does not happen.”

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


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