Klopp: Burnley duo were ‘too dangerous’ against VVD and Matip

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested that the challenges of Burnley’s Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes were “too dangerous” at Anfield.

This Saturday’s game between Liverpool and Burnley came exactly seven months to the day after the Clarets won 1-0 at Anfield.

This victory ended Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield. The Reds were out to right the wrongs from that defeat this time around in front of their returning home fans.

Early winner: TAA, the lopsided Liverpool ‘heartbeat’

Klopp’s side got off to a good start as they took the lead in the 18th minute. Kostas Tsimikas’ cross from the left flank was met by Diogo Jota. The forward headed home to net his second goal of the season.

Sadio Mane later doubled their lead in the second half after being set up by Trent Alexander-Arnold. He made no mistake as he smashed the ball home from inside the penalty area.

This was how it finished and this win sees Liverpool maintain their perfect start in the Premier League.

Klopp took aim at Burnley’s Barnes and Wood after the game, as reported by PA. He believes that their play is “too dangerous”:

“Burnley is never a game where you are just flying and outplay them,” Klopp said.

“You have to be ready for a proper fight and we were today in a really difficult game, you saw these challenges of Barnes and Wood on Virgil and Joel.

“I am not 100 per cent sure if we are going in the right direction with these decisions, if we go 10-15 years back.

“It is too dangerous – it is just hard. The rules are how they are but you cannot defend these situations.”

Elsewhere, Jordan Henderson insisted that the returning Liverpool fans “gave [them] a lift” against Burnley:

“It was the result (we wanted). The performance was good at times, there are still places where we can improve of course.

“Overall we are delighted, it was great to have the fans back, they gave us a lift and we got the result and that is the most important thing.

“It keeps you going at times, the emotional side of it. Football was totally different last season without a crowd and now we have got the fans back in it is a different ball game and hopefully we can keep our fortress, if you like.”