MCNEIL LOOKING UP

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MCNEIL LOOKING UP

Winger boosted by Anfield performance as Clarets prepare for busy week

2021-08-23T07:55:43.055Z

MCNEIL LOOKING UP

Winger boosted by Anfield performance as Clarets prepare for busy week

2021-08-23T07:55:43.055Z

Winger boosted by Anfield performance as Clarets prepare for busy week

Dwight McNeil believes the Clarets are heading in the right direction as they look to get off the mark in the Premier League.

Burnley have started with back-to-back defeats but have shown plenty in both of their opening games to suggest the first points are just around the corner.

After a 2-1 defeat to Brighton, a first away game of the season brought a 2-0 loss at Liverpool.

But the 2020 champions were pushed all the way by Sean Dyche's men, who made plenty of openings with McNeil often the catalyst for some of the visitors’ best attacking moments in front of a returning full house at Anfield.

“We were disappointed to come away with nothing in the end,” said McNeil.

“I thought we started off, especially in the first half, really well.

“We created some good chances but, unfortunately, we didn’t do the hardest thing in the game and put the ball in the back of the net.

“If that (Ashley Barnes’ off-side goal) stands you never know what could have happened in the game.

“We would have probably got a bit more momentum. But when they scored their second goal it’s always hard to get back into the game. Especially here when they’ve got the fans back.

“It’s great to have the fans back and it was a great atmosphere throughout the whole game. The main thing is obviously to have fans back in a safe manner and it’s great to have fans back in the ground.”

Turf Moor is certainly likely to be lively next Sunday for the visit of Leeds United when the Clarets face their Roses’ rivals in front of a crowd in the top flight for the first time since 1976.

And McNeil believes the first two performances of the season mean the Clarets - who are in mid-week Carabao Cup action first - should be looking forward with optimism.

“It’s positive. We are going in the right direction,” he told Clarets+

“We’ve got a big game on Wednesday against Newcastle, but I think the main one is next Sunday at home to Leeds.”