Liverpool’s go to of Burnley this weekend is a must-win within the Premier League title race, they usually face a beleaguered Clarets outfit who look doomed to relegation.
The Reds’ 3-1 defeat away to Arsenal has blown the title battle broad open in what was a bitterly disappointing afternoon.
Subsequent up for Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect is Saturday’s conflict with Burnley at Anfield, with Vincent Kompany’s males at present nineteenth within the desk.
With the match edging nearer on a regular basis, This Is Anfield’s Henry Jackson spoke to Matt from No Nay By no means podcast (@NoNayNever) to debate two differing seasons for each side, Saturday’s recreation and extra.
How have issues been since we final spoke on Boxing Day?
I feel irritating finest sums up the way it’s felt to be a Burnley fan and participant because you visited the Turf at Christmas.
Frustratingly, we have now performed nicely in some matches and never obtained something to indicate for it – defeat to Spurs within the FA Cup, for instance – and the inconsistency of the Premier League‘s officers has value us factors in opposition to Aston Villa and Luton.
Kompany continues to baffle us together with his workforce picks and substitutions, too.
Does Kompany have the total assist of the fanbase?
Positively not. Even those that are attempting to assist Kompany, myself included, are discovering it laborious to clarify what he’s attempting to attain with this squad past enjoying at being a Premier League supervisor.
He’s undoing numerous the wonderful work he did final season in constructing a aggressive and entertaining squad which had an important relationship with the supporters.
We’re struggling to attach with them, and due to this fact be affected person and understanding, as they battle with the leap to Premier League stage.
Who has stood out and struggled probably the most for Burnley this season?
Mockingly, it’s the newer gamers which have stood out.
Luca Koleosho was good till his damage, and since then, Wilson Odobert have been the brightest sparks in an in any other case uninteresting marketing campaign.
Sander Berge in midfield has settled in and is exhibiting class, and earlier than his spell out with private points, Lyle Foster was trying just like the Premier League striker that Kompany assured us he could possibly be when he introduced him in 12 months in the past.
In a nutshell, our defence have struggled as a bunch all season, with James Trafford being thrown within the deep finish in objective, and alternating between sinking and swimming at this stage.
A settled again 4 is trying much less possible with every passing matchweek, with accidents disrupting Kompany’s plans, assuming he has some.
Will you keep away from relegation, or are you resigned to it now?
You’ll be laborious pressed to seek out even probably the most optimistic of Clarets supporter nonetheless believing we are able to survive with out the assistance of factors deductions elsewhere.
Eight factors adrift with no consistency in retaining clear sheets isn’t the muse on which to construct a survival bid.
With a brand new centre-back Maxime Esteve, right-back Lorenz Assignon and striker David Datro Fofana the brilliant factors of an in any other case disappointing afternoon in opposition to Fulham, there’s the faint hope that issues could enhance, however we could nicely have run out of time already.
Planning for the Championship is nicely below approach amongst followers and almost certainly at boardroom stage additionally.
What are your ideas on Jurgen Klopp’s shock departure?
I can be brutally trustworthy with you, I’ve struggled to heat to Jurgen Klopp and received’t be unhappy to see him depart the Premier League.
I really feel his complaining about numerous topics has tainted the view followers of different groups can have of him, regardless of him clearly being a high supervisor and having a superb report in his time at Liverpool.
We are going to all wait and see if there’s a participant exodus this summer time and who will try to fill the massive void he’ll depart.
How do you assess Liverpool’s title probabilities now?
It’s yours to lose, regardless of Man City‘s recreation in hand.
I feel when you supplied Pep Guardiola back-to-back Champions League wins or a fourth Premier League title, he would take the previous and we may even see him give attention to that and slip up in a single or two league matches.
Having stated that, you possibly can by no means rule them out, and along with your 2020 title being all however sealed earlier than lockdown hit, will probably be attention-grabbing to see when you can maintain going and match them week in, week out.
As for Saturday, the place will the important thing battles happen?
I feel will probably be a recreation of battles between forwards and defenders in the primary, and sadly, I feel will probably be your attackers which have extra pleasure in opposition to our struggling again line.
I feel your defence will even be stored busy by whoever Kompany places up entrance for us, nevertheless, and they are going to be seeking to frustrate and pounce on any errors.
If you happen to may solely have one Liverpool participant at Burnley, who wouldn’t it be?
There’s a wealth of expertise to select from.
For me, although, your finest all-round participant who carries out his duties professionally and probably the most constantly is Alisson.
Lastly, what’s your prediction?
Liverpool 3-1 Burnley.
Most likely a comfort objective for the Clarets in the direction of the top, much like our outcome on the Etihad not too long ago.
