Reds snap at City heels
Liverpool beat Burnley to reduce gap at top
Liverpool, March 10: Jurgen Klopp warned title rivals Manchester City that Liverpool will not give up their title bid quietly after a 4-2 victory over Burnley cut Pep Guardiola’s lead at the top of the Premier League to a single point.
Liverpool responded impressively to City’s win against Watford on Saturday, rallying strongly after falling behind to a controversial opening goal from Burnley, with two goals each from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
And the German manager, whose side visit Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 second leg tie on Wednesday, insisted that the performance demonstrated his team’s ability to handle the pressure.
“The message from today is that nobody gets rid of us,” said Klopp, adding, “We had the perfect mixture of fighting the opponent and playing football.
The victory was also a triumph for Adam Lallana, the England midfielder whose inclusion in the starting line-up was not universally popular among Liverpool supporters but who turned in a man-of-the-match display.
Lallana changed the momentum of the game just before the half-hour, charging down a poor clearance from Phil Bardsley and seeing Mohamed Salah tackled by Charlie Taylor before the ball broke kindly to Mane, who curled in from 15 yards.
“It is not only Adam but it was clear, if he can play like he trained, then he will help us a lot and that is exactly how it happened,” said Klopp.
Hazard late show rescues Chelsea
In London, Eden Hazard came to Maurizio Sarri’s rescue as the Chelsea star’s superb late strike earned a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday.
Sarri’s side were seconds away from another damaging defeat after Raul Jimenez put Wolves ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard spared the under-fire Sarri’s blushes with his thunderous stoppage-time equaliser, but it was still a frustrating day for the Blues boss.
Sarri’s side had won three times in 10 days to temporarily silence reports that the Italian was facing the sack.
Sterling urges team to clinch quadruple
London, March 10: Raheem Sterling urged Manchester City to maintain their “amazing mentality” as the Premier League leaders chase an unprecedented quadruple.
Pep Guardiola’s side won the English title in record-breaking fashion last season, but their defence of the crown has been much tougher, with Liverpool posing a serious threat.
City have climbed back above the Reds in recent weeks and also lifted the League Cup trophy following their final win over Chelsea.
With a 3-2 lead over Schalke heading into Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg and an FA Cup quarterfinal at Swansea next weekend, City are still in with a chance of sweeping up all the available silverware.
Sterling believes City’s confidence and steely focus can carry them to an historic season.
“It’s going alright for me and the team,” Sterling said.