It was a big thing for us to be brave in our performance
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp saw his side come from behind to win and said afterwards: “Obviously we all have to get used to it a little bit because it’s the first ‘ugly’ game we’ve won. Usually when we were not at our best we’ve lost and in a few parts of the game we weren’t at our best actually. If you’re not at your best it’s a close game and that’s how it was.
“We were not dominant enough to avoid Burnley’s game, they did what they want to do. First half Burnley were better because we all played their games, if you want. The ball was always in the air, fighting for second balls, they were obviously better around second balls.
“The goal we conceded, we could’ve defended better, and there were a few moments, a lot of flick on challenges, foul yes or no, ball through and all that stuff. It doesn’t feel good and you are 1-0 down but I thought already at the end of the first half we had our moments and then we scored the goal. Nice goal, cross, we were there and got the easy goal if you want.
“We knew we had to do better, of course. It was about formation, it was about orientation, that’s what we spoke about at half time. When we played the long balls, we felt not that comfortable today. The plan from the beginning was to mix it up, playing build-up and long ball in formation for the second balls.
“Like I said, Burnley was for sure in this part of the game better. Second half I thought we did much better because there was not really a chance (for Burnley) from open play, only set-pieces. They were dangerous enough, all in the six-yard box and Si (Mignolet) did an outstanding job for us.
“Obviously it’s difficult for each goalkeeper but he did really well in these situations and then Emre with a wonderful strike, a fantastic goal. We defended passionately, that’s how it should be and our organisation was better. There were a few counter-attacking moments, when we played football in a few moments obviously it felt better, and in the end we won the game and it felt well deserved.”
Sean Dyche was very disappointed with the result. “It’s a tough one to take today,” he said. “The performance was very good and the shape and endeavour and framework of the side was very important because they are a good side. They get bodies forward and they play quickly on the counter, but I thought we dealt with a lot of what they had to offer very well.
“It was a big thing for us to be brave in our performance. We want to go after teams and take on these challenges and today was back to what we are. We put the ball in the box a lot deliberately to make them uncomfortable and I thought that worked really well and we are scoring away from home regularly, which is another key factor, so there’s a lot to be pleased about.”
Ashley Barnes gave us that early lead. “It was a sublime goal from us and to go in 1-1 at half time was unjust, I felt,” Dyche added. “We were a bit unlucky to be fair because the ball hits Ben in the stomach and it lands perfectly. That changed the whole feeling in the stadium. That was the really annoying part about it, because I think we all sensed they were going to get a bit of stick going off at half time.
“I was just very pleased with the performance in general, but we’re still looking for that first win an we’ll keep working for it.”
The manager had words for the travelling supporters. “Our fans were terrific again today because they could get disgruntled,” he said. “They stick with us unbelievably well and I thank them for that because they are travelling everywhere and getting behind the team.
“If the players keep delivering that type of performance, things will break for us because our away performances have definitely got stronger. We are coming to places like Anfield and scoring and creating chances. We’ve created three or four really big chances today, so there are a lot of good things and the mentality and overall feel of the side and the ling with the supporters is all intact and we have to take that forward into our last ten games.”
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