Liverpool look to extend unbeaten run
LONDON: Fresh off a win over the reigning champions, the Premier League’s hottest team casts an eye towards the other end of the table as they attempt to extend an impressive run in midweek.
Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-1 on Sunday to make it 11 straight league games without loss. The win lifted the Reds to fifth place, two points behind Manchester United in the final Champions League qualifying place.
There’s little time to celebrate though for Brendan Rodgers’ team as Burnley go to Anfield tomorrow.
And while the Clarets are in the relegation zone after winning just one of their last 10 league matches, Liverpool know it won’t be easy.
All they have to do is remember back to Boxing Day and a struggle to record a hard-fought 1-0 success in the reverse fixture at Burnley.
“We have just got to keep going now,” said Jordan Henderson who scored the opening goal against City.
“We’ve got another big game tomorrow against Burnley and that will be tough for us as we found out when we went there.
“They’ll make it difficult but this result will give us great confidence. We’ve got momentum and we’ve just got to keep building and finish strongly.”
Manchester City try to get their title hopes back on track by hosting last-place Leicester. The holders are five points behind leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand.
Even though they’ve won just three of eight games in 2015, City manager Manuel Pellegrini isn’t ready to concede just yet.
“I think we never give up about the title,” he said. “We must try to improve out play first and after that try to win our next game.
“I hope that the team will recover and we can win on Wednesday. Every point we drop is more difficult.”
Chelsea follow up their League Cup final victory with a visit to West Ham. It’s a match-up of teams going in opposite directions.
The Blues’ six-game unbeaten run has given them breathing room at the top. West Ham are down to ninth after just one win in 10 and were booed off by the home fans following Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace.
“We have to take responsibility for Saturday’s performance, and use the big negative as a big push, as motivation for a tough game against Chelsea on Wednesday night,” manager Sam Allardyce said. “We have to make sure Saturday doesn’t dent our confidence, which is the last thing we want.”
Southampton, who’ve fallen to sixth after winning once of the past five games, visit Crystal Palace today, while Aston Villa host West Brom and Sunderland are at Hull.
Tomorrow, third-place Arsenal seek a seventh league win in eight when they travel to QPR, Manchester United are at Newcastle, Tottenham try to rebound from their League Cup loss at home against Swansea and Stoke host Everton.