We’ll be best of the rest!
<M<IP B@:B# <M<IP >F8C# ASH TIPS CLARETS FOR EUROPE
ASHLEY BARNES insists that Burnley are dreaming of Europe – and have what it takes to be the best of the rest in the Premier League.
Sean Dyche’s side are seventh in the table as they prepare to host Liverpool this afternoon, having enjoyed a superb season so far.
They climbed into the Champions League spots in mid-December and are still on the coattails of the top six despite going four games without a win.
Seventh spot is likely to be enough for a place in next season’s Europa League if the FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners both finish in the top five.
And with Burnley seven points clear of eighth-placed Leicester, striker Barnes believes that they can hang on to their current position, and maybe go even HUDDERSFIELD (4-2-3-1): Lossl 6; Hadergjonaj 5 (Smith 46, 6), Jorgensen 6, SCHINDLER 7, Malone 7; Mooy 6, Hogg 7; Quaner 6 (Williams 82), Ince 5 (Lolley 55, 6), Van La Parra 5; Depoitre 6. Subs: Coleman, Cranie, Hefele, Mounie. UP NEXT: Leicester (a), Premier League, today. BURNLEY (4-2-3-1): Pope 6; Bardsley 7, Long 7, Mee 7, Taylor 6; Cork 6, Defour 6; GUDMUNDSSON 7, Hendrick 6 (Vokes 73), Arfield 6; Barnes 6 (Wells 81). Subs: Lindegaard, Lowton, Marney, Westwood, Walters. UP NEXT: Liverpool (h), Premier League, today. Referee: Paul Tierney 4. YOUR TURN: Who is the last man to have managed Huddersfield and Burnley? higher. He said: “Why not? We’re seven points clear, so why can we not go and challenge the top boys? Every game is tough in this league but we’re there for a reason, because we’ve done so well.
“The league position speaks for itself. We’ve another tough game now but it’s the same for them. Hopefully we can capitalise on that. We’re at home, so who knows what can happen?
“We’ve got to believe. Europe’s what we are aiming for. If we can get there, then fair play.”
Burnley’s results have dipped over Christmas, but they are hanging in there, despite losing four of their first-choice back five to injury and suspension – plus £15m top scorer Chris Wood and £13m midfield creative force Robbie Brady.
The starting line-up they put out at Huddersfield on Saturday was worth a combined total of around £33m in transfer fees – less than half what Liverpool are paying for Virgil van Dijk.
Awkward
Burnley will have centre-back James Tarkowski back from suspension for today’s game, and are ready to make life every bit as awkward for Jurgen Klopp’s men as they did last season.
Then, Dyche’s men won 2-0 despite having only 19 per cent possession – with the Burnley boss making no apologies for digging in against the big boys. He said: “There were comments about do you defend this way or that way, or attack.
“I think it’s very easy to say that from the top of the tree, but not so easy when you are us, you know what I mean?
“Let’s face it, if you have a basketball match with Manchester City, I’m telling you now, there’s only one winner.”
Burnley will be hoping for a bit more luck against Liverpool after being denied a clear penalty on Saturday when goalkeeper Jonas Lossl brought down Jeff Hendrick and escaped unpunished.
Huddersfield’s third draw in a row takes them on to 24 points ahead of their trip to Leicester today.