Klopp: ‘People say I don’t have a plan B’

Rob McCarthy
Jurgen Klopp: Knows what to expect from Burnley

Jurgen Klopp: Knows what to expect from Burnley

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists that his team are ‘ready for the fight’ as they prepare to take on Burnley at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool’s struggles against the Premier League’s so-called smaller sides have been well documented this season and the Reds chief is determined that his players will have the right mindset against the Clarets, who beat them at Turf Moor earlier in the season.

“People say I don’t have a plan B or whatever. Yes, we know how to play. Have to cover specific spaces and make the right decisions. Can’t just say we can only concentrate on counter attacks, set pieces, whatever. It’s an all-round challenge.

“My job, how I understand it, is to help them find the right decisions easier. That’s what training is for. We have to prove it on the pitch. Before Arsenal, the mood was optimistic. In this moment I’m not sure we will win against Burnley but I’m quite optimistic, because if I can bring our boys on to the pitch, and not expect an easy game.

“We’re ready for the fight.”

Klopp is fully aware of the challenge that awaits his side this weekend and was full of praise for Sean Dyche men’s.

“Burnley is special,” he added. “They had clearest plan of all these teams. They are happy with their comfortable position in the table.

“With Burnley it’s clear. They defend, counter-attack, long balls in behind, set-pieces. It can’t be easy against them. Even when they have lost, it’s been close games.”

The Clarets have struggled on the road this season but Klopp won’t allow his side to be complacent, adding: “Burnley’s away record is not good but it’s not that they’ve had no chances. We just have to be ready for hard work.

“How I said the style of play (for them) is clear, they’re as good as they want to be. Performances more than results. They think they are close to it, but we think we are close to changing the situation. We will try all we can. We cannot compare Premier League teams to each other.”

The German is also hoping that the Anfield factor will be a big asset for his side, especially given the atmosphere that greeted them during the outstanding win over Arsenal last weekend.

“We need to be ready. We need to create an atmosphere and use advantage of Anfield.”

On the team news front, Klopp revealed that Roberto Firmino is a doubt for Sunday’s clash.

“Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson are not available. Roberto Firmino struggles a little, he felt something after the game and this week he couldn’t train, so we need to wait a little bit more and see.”