Liverpool vs Burnley. Premier League.
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Sunday 10 March 2019 10:54, UK
Dejan Lovren could return to Liverpool's starting line-up after a two-month absence when they host Burnley on Sunday (kick-off 12pm).
The Croatia international is set to be included in Liverpool's squad with a hamstring injury.
Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp insists he has "no bad feelings" about Burnley despite a fractious encounter the last time they met.
Following the 3-1 win at Turf Moor in early December, Klopp was outspoken in his criticism of the Clarets' physical approach which left defender Joe Gomez with a fractured leg from which he has still not recovered.
He described the manner of Burnley's tackling like 10-pin bowling "because you get the player as well".
It sparked a row with Sean Dyche, a manager Klopp admires for the work he has done at Turf Moor, but the Reds boss said that had all now been forgotten.
"There is nothing to say about that any more," Klopp said. "I say what I said at the time, nearly three months ago.
"We are human beings, we react in the moment. I made a lot of mistakes in my life, and most of the time I regret them.
"For me, the game is a special situation and in different circumstances, you can imagine what is said in and around the game."
Burnley midfielder Steven Defour is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing calf surgery, Dyche has revealed.
Defour's injury-disrupted season has seen him make only nine appearances in all competitions, the most recent coming in the 5-0 FA Cup loss at Manchester City on January 26.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Dyche said of the 30-year-old Belgian: "He's had an operation on his calf basically to release the muscle.
"So he's recovering now. We're very confident that will clear the problem but it is unlikely he is going to get back before the end of the season, which is a bit of a blow."
Lovren may return to Liverpool's squad for Sunday, while James Milner had been hampered by a muscle problem but is expected to be fit in time.
Joe Gomez, out since December with a fractured leg, is likely to return after the international break at the end of this month while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, sidelined since April by a serious knee injury, made his playing comeback for the under-23s at Derby on Friday.
For Burnley, Defour has undergone surgery while Aaron Lennon is out with a knee injury.
Liverpool need to win this game and they need to score early because the longer the game goes on, the bigger the panic. Before they kick off, they could be four points behind Man City so they need to start well because the pressure is going to be majorly on now. If they draw this game, all of a sudden it could be three points and a bit of goal difference so it is a massive football match for Liverpool.
I've always said this league is going to be about who plays first and who plays second and you want to be playing first because it can take its toll.
I think Burnley will be alright in the Premier League, but they've got to be careful. They had a great result against Tottenham but got well beaten by Newcastle and Crystal Palace so they have to be careful but I would expect them to be alright.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
