Burnley win was like a ‘semi-final’: Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his team’s 3-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday was like a semi-final, setting up the decisive final game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday in the battle for a top-four finish. The victory moved Liverpool above Leicester City on goal difference and into the Premier League’s top four and a win over Palace on Sunday could secure Champions League football for next season. “It was a semi-final. We had to win the semi-final and we did. Nothing is decided yet but we improved our position and we have the final. That’s what we needed. It’s what we deserve because this was a top performance,” said Klopp. Burnley were on top in the early stages but Liverpool’s back-up central defensive pairing of Nathianel Phillips and Rhys Williams held firm. “You can’t give any chance away against Burnley because of the way they play. They wanted to go for our centre-halves but our boys did outstandingly well,” said Klopp. The home side had little to play for, having secured a sixth straight season of top flight football, but the German said they had been fired up by the return of fans. “We knew before the game it would be incredibly tough – they had about 3,500 people not on our side. Atmosphere in football is massive,” he said. “I thought the boys dealed really well with that. They didn’t get distracted – they tried to use it because noise is nice. We played a lot of good football stuff.” Liverpool’s 3-0 win gave them a four-goal advantage over Leicester that could prove vital if both teams win on Sunday and Klopp is hoping he can keep everyone fit for the Palace game. “We have to make sure we recover quickly. We have a thin squad in some positions. We have to wrap them in cotton wool. I can’t wait for the 10,000 fans at Anfield. Nothing is decided – Palace are strong.”Supporters’ board Liverpool are set to create a new supporters board before the start of the 2021-22 season in an effort to give the fans a voice in decision-making processes, the Premier League club said yesterday. The move comes as Liverpool look to make amends with fans after the club signed up for the breakaway European Super League without consulting supporters, leading to fierce criticism and the league’s collapse as the six English clubs backed out. Liverpool said the development was the result of meetings with the club’s supporters trust and will allow for consultation on matters that affect the fans, with the chair of the supporters board to be invited to attend the club’s board meetings. “This consultation process will be enshrined in the club’s Articles of Association,” Liverpool said in a statement. “A legally binding Memorandum of Understanding between the club and the Official Liverpool Supporters Trust will be entered into, thereby ensuring supporters input on fan issues via structured dialogue.” Liverpool join Tottenham Hotspur in having fan representation on their board after the north London club announced similar plans earlier this month.