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Jürgen Klopp
Photo:
Jon Super / AP
Liverpool FC overcame the setback at Arsenal FC and barely maintained their top spot in the English Premier League. Coach Jürgen Klopp's team won against relegation candidate FC Burnley 3-1 (1-1) and is still two points ahead of defending champions Manchester City, who previously won against Liverpool's city rivals FC Everton 2-0 (0-0). However, Man City played one game less. Last Sunday, Liverpool suffered their first league defeat since September 30th with a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal FC.
Diogo Jota (31'), Luis Diaz (52') and Darwin (79') completed the Reds' victory with their goals, as they continue to have to do without their injured superstar Mohamed Salah. Dara O'Shea had equalized for Burnley (45').
Man City also had more trouble than expected. The Toffees' bulwark held out for 70 minutes, then striker Erling Haaland struck. The Norwegian scored both goals (71st and 85th) and ended his personal drought. The top scorer had not scored a goal in the league since November 25th.
It was the first game for Jürgen Klopp after the fuss surrounding FIFA's blue card plans - and for the Liverpool FC team manager, it was confirmation of his defensive stance against the innovation. "Imagine if the referee had had the blue card at his disposal," he said after the 3-1 win against Burnley FC, "that would have been the Wild West."
What the 56-year-old was referring to: Five players and both coaches, alongside Klopp Burnley's Vincent Kompany, saw yellow. “It was emotional,” said Klopp. »I have no idea why Vincent Kompany saw yellow. I lost control in one situation, so okay, show me yellow - as long as I don't see a blue card and have to sit around somewhere for ten minutes.
The innovation would provide for this, for example, for complaints or tactical fouls. Klopp was booked after complaining about an alleged foul on goalscorer Diogo Jota in the opposition penalty area. He had already stated before the game that he would reject the blue card.
ara/sid/dpa