Imagine if the ground was full Klopp
It should have been a night when a packed Anfield celebrated why Liverpool are set to win the Premier League but after a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, Juergen Klopp says his players created their own atmosphere in front of an empty Kop.
The first game at Liverpool’s home since the Covid-19 stoppage brought four superb goals as Klopp’s side moved within two points of securing their first league title in 30 years.
“Imagine if this stadium would have been full today and all the people could have experienced it live,” said Klopp, whose side would be crowned champions on Thursday if Manchester City fail to win at Chelsea.
“I don’t think the game could have been better because my boys played like everybody was in the stadium. The atmosphere on the pitch was incredible,” he said.
Goals from Trent AlexanderArnold, Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Sadio Mane, each special in different ways, earned Liverpool the three points.
“I liked the game so much,” Klopp said. “We were 4-0 up in the 87th minute and four players chasing one Palace player like it’s the only ball in the world ... wonderful result and a wonderful game. The way we played, the passion we showed was so exceptional.
“I don’t think we’d have done better with a crowd. I’m so happy that we showed that we do it for the people even when they’re not really here.”
Aston Villa are a hard team to beat but they will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to avoid being relegated from the Premier League, manager Dean Smith said on Thursday. Villa are 19th in the standings, level on points with Bournemouth and West Ham United above them with only goal difference separating the three sides.
Smith’s side, who have picked up just two points from their past seven games, had 14 attempts on goal in the 1-1 draw
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with Newcastle United on Wednesday but needed a late header from Egyptian defender Ahmed Elmohamady to rescue a point.
“We know draws are not enough and we need to get some wins from somewhere,” Smith said ahead of Saturday’s game against Wolves.
“We have been unfortunate not to get the wins but our performance levels have been a lot better. We look a really hard team to beat, we just need to be more clinical.”
Wolves have won both their games since the league’s resumption and are in sixth place, two points behind fourthplaced Chelsea.
“They deserve to be where they are at the moment ... competing in Europe and a realistic aim of being a top six team,” the 49-year-old added.
Smith confirmed that midfielder John McGinn, who started each of Villa’s three games on his return from a serious ankle injury, could be rested for Saturday’s clash. /