Reds must steady ship
EPL RACE: PUTTING A RARE STUMBLE ASIDE AS MAN CITY & ARSENAL LURK
Liverpool must come to terms with a rare domestic loss as the Premier League leaders fight to get back on track this weekend. Beaten at Arsenal last Sunday, if Juergen Klopp’s side slip up again at home to Burnley, then either Manchester City or the Gunners could knock Liverpool out of pole position.
Klopp has told his Liverpool players to “create their own destiny” in the title race, starting with today’s visit from struggling Burnley.
After losing 3-1 against thirdplaced Arsenal last weekend, Klopp’s men are just two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners also trailing the leaders by the same margin.
It was only Liverpool’s second league defeat this term and Klopp said: “We didn’t lose recently an awful lot of football games, we know that.
“That means dealing with defeats is a challenge, for humankind actually. Nobody here expects that we will just fly over Burnley or whatever.”
Klopp, in the midst of his final season in charge of Liverpool, knows his side can ill-afford to crash against second-bottom Burnley and he called on them to seize the moment rather than fear it.
“It’s a home game and we can turn things around, meaning the first step, and then we will see,” he said.
“Nobody celebrates the champion and nobody is relegated as far as I know, so we have all the chance to create our own destiny.”
Martin Odegaard insists Arsenal will remain “humble” after being criticised by some pundits for “over-celebrating” their vital victory against Liverpool.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta embarked on a jubilant jig down the touchline after Leandro Trossard’s stoppage-time goal killed off their title rivals at the raucous Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal captain Odegaard led the post-match celebrations on the pitch, taking a camera from the club’s photographer to snap the joyous scenes following a result which re-ignited his team’s bid for a first title since 2004.
“I think everyone who loves football, who understands football, they know how much it means to win this game. And if you’re not allowed to celebrate when you win a game, when are you allowed to celebrate?” he said.
“We’re happy with the win and we’ll stay humble. It was a massive game. As you say it could have been eight points (if we’d lost) and it would look a lot more difficult then but we showed up.”
Arsenal, who blew an eightpoint lead in the title race last season, can keep the pressure on Liverpool with a victory in tomorrow’s London derby at West Ham.
Champions Manchester City host Everton today aiming to stay one step ahead of Arsenal.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has warned his players to block out the narrative that they are destined for relegation.
Time is running out for the Blades to avoid an immediate return to the Championship next season and Wilder’s side are desperate to beat fellow strugglers Luton today. –