10 February 2024 , 18:20
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Observing Jurgen Klopp as time ticks away on his Anfield reign is comedy and tragedy rolled into one.
No laughing matter for Liverpool fans, maybe, but for the rest of us it’s pure theatre that simply shows whatever colours you wear, we will all miss the manic German when he says farewell in May.
For as Klopp's antics go, his touchline performance against Burnley was a masterclass - and arguably for the neutrals - more entertaining than the way his side edged past the brave Clarets.
From the start, Klopp clearly felt the need to let Anfield know he was in this title fight every bit as his players. Shouting, gesticulating and cajoling Klopp knew his patched-up team missing a host of regulars needed his complete backing.
And when the intensity dipped towards half time as they led by Diogo Jota’s 14th goal of the season, Klopp served to waken up his team by getting booked for a rant at fourth official Thomas Bramall and referee Tim Robinson.
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Klopp wasn’t finished there, though. Second half, with bared teeth, the Kop boss called on main fans to pump up the volume then hilariously fell over while protesting at an assistant referee’s line call that went against his stars.
It was Klopp at his full heavy-metal best, living every moment in the closing chapter of his unforgettable Merseyside reign. And proving once again that, in every respect, he’s going to be a near-impossible act to follow.
Few managers can have such an impact and influence on their teams as Klopp. And as he bids to exit English football with perhaps his greatest achievement with 14 games left to win the second Premier League title, Klopp understands better than anyone the part he has to play in the coming weeks.
With Manchester City temporarily assuming the lead over Liverpool at the League summit after their lunchtime win over Everton, Klopp’s men started the game needing all the help they can muster to hold off the Guardiola juggernaut.
Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners over Burnley (PA)The full opening of the upper tier section of the new Anfield Road stand gave Liverpool extra vocal support making for a League record crowd of 59,896 and an impressive 60,725 capacity.
But battling Burnley were in no mood to lie down with Vincent Kompany’s stars focused on their own agenda at the other end of the table.
Buoyed by their impressive comeback against Fulham a week ago, Burnley had impetus while Liverpool were fuelled by a different motivation after their painful Arsenal defeat.
On the face of it, this seemed the best of fixtures for Klopp and his stars to execute the bounce back the result at The Emirates demanded.
But the opening minutes of the contest showed Burnley were going to be no pushovers despite their precarious position level on points with Sheffield United at the foot of the table.
With games running out, it may be too late for Burnley to save themselves. But in the image of Kompany, they won’t chuck the towel in.
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They showed that fighting spirit, equalising on the stroke of half-time as Dara O’Shea’s powerful header from a Josh Brownhill corner ripped past Caoimhin Kelleher, deputising for flu-victim Alisson.
Sensing Liverpool needed some reassurance, Klopp’s men took to the field after half-time to the fading strains of Bob Marley’s Don't Worry About a Thing.
But even though Liverpool quickly restored their lead after a lengthy VAR check, half-time substitute Harvey Elliott’s cross was headed home at the near post by Luis Diaz, Burnley had chances to punish the hosts.
Kompany joined Klopp with a yellow card protesting at the Diaz goal and his frustration grew as on-loan Chelsea star David Fofana missed two golden chances to put Burnley ahead.
James Trafford made key saves to keep Burnley in the hunt but Darwin Nunez ended the contest with a late header from another Elliott cross. After the final whistle, there was time for Klopp to take centre stage again with his trademark triple fist pumps. Another show of Klopp passion Anfield will forever miss.
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