Liverpool FC struggled at first after Manchester City’s victory at lunchtime, but beat basement dwellers Burnley 3-1 after a setback just before the break
The fact that the two opponents came from different ends of the table was not initially apparent at Anfield Road – and it stayed that way for quite a while. Burnley pressed the Reds high up the pitch and disrupted their attacking play at almost every stage. Coach Vincent Kompany’s team came out with a lot of energy.
The first chance in an even first half actually came from the basement side: Amdouni overran van Dijk in the penalty area, but Kelleher, deputizing for the ill Alisson, came out in time (10′). Liverpool fought back with long-range shots. This was also due to the fact that the strong Burnley defense hardly allowed the Reds to break through
Corners break the spell
LFC needed a set-piece, just as Manchester City had done in the lunchtime game. Keeper Trafford misjudged a corner and Diogo Jota headed in behind him (31′). But the visitors could do the same – and Kelleher didn’t even have to misjudge: O’Shea scored the equalizer from a corner in stoppage time (45.+1).
In the second half, Klopp’s side were more focused and dominant. It mainly went in one direction. The Reds knew how to capitalize on their improved performance: Luis Diaz headed in substitute Elliott’s cross at the first post (52′).
Fofana misses twice
Burnley were no longer able to hold off the leaders. The first half had obviously taken its toll. Liverpool actively managed the game – but suddenly became careless after just over an hour. After losing the ball in his own penalty area, ex-Union striker Fofana had two great chances in front of Kelleher. He missed both of them (64′, 67′).
The game suddenly went back and forth, and with a quarter of an hour to go it was pretty much wide open. But Liverpool became more dangerous in this exchange of blows (Quansah, 72′) – although another corner was needed for the next goal: Elliott again made a situation sharp, Darwin headed the final score 3:1 (79′). The Uruguayan missed out on an even clearer result when free in front of Trafford (90.+5).
Liverpool defend first place at the top of the table with the home win – two points ahead of champions ManCity. However, the Skyblues have played one game less.
