Jurgen Klopp relishes the opportunity to lead Liverpool again at Anfield, insisting that memories of the previous meeting with Burnley are far from his mind.
The Reds will be supported by a home crowd for the first time since March 2020, with the coronavirus pandemic meaning fans missed their subsequent Premier League triumph.
Fans were also absent in 2020-21 as Liverpool struggled a bit, although they maintained an exceptional unbeaten streak at home until facing Burnley.
Klopp’s men had not lost in 68 league appearances at Anfield before the Clarets’ 1-0 win in January, a game in which Liverpool had 26 shots on the six visitors and 72% possession.
But Burnley has not won consecutive away league games against Liverpool since their first two attempts in the 1894-95 and 1896-97 seasons, while the Reds could become the first team to beat them 11 times in Premieres. League.
Form is also in Liverpool’s favor, with their 11-game unbeaten streak – including nine wins – the longest running streak in the top flight, while Burnley could lose five in a row in the competition for the first time.
Klopp still expects a tough test, but he’s determined to see his team put on a show and have some fun in front of the Kop.
“I didn’t even think about it,” he said of the previous clash. “If I think about that game, it was strange. Yeah, we lost it, Burnley won it.
“This is how football is – well deserved – but it obviously has nothing to do with the game now.
“We’re going to try to have our first home game in front of our home crowd for about 520 days, I think. We want to enjoy it. Football is only possible when you play in a positive way, when you just go for it.
“There are no guarantees there, none at all – especially not against Burnley, as they can make your life really uncomfortable.
“They defend well, have very good footballers on the team, Sean does a brilliant job there. He not only makes them boring, but they can also be boring.
“Good set pieces, all that kind of stuff, a clear way of playing – that’s what we’re getting ready for, not for any revenge.”
Fabinho has been in family mourning, but Klopp said fellow midfielders Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara “look good”, are “much closer” to a comeback and, now, it’s “mine. to make decisions “.
Asked about the development of Captain Henderson’s contract situation, the Liverpool boss replied: “No, everything is fine.”
Klopp will be hopeful that Henderson and Thiago will settle down again as easily as Virgil van Dijk, who showed no ill effects from his long layoff in the first victory at Norwich City.
“I wasn’t surprised in any way,” Klopp said. “He’s had a four and a half week preseason, maybe five or maybe, if you put all of his rehab stuff in too, the longest preseason ever.
“I obviously saw him in training every day and he played like he had trained before so I wasn’t surprised. Virgil is a good football player so I’m really happy to have him. to regain.”
