Liverpool 4-2 Burnley - The Reds recover from controversial opener to stay within 1 point of the league leaders! - Match Review
Saturday had provided Liverpool with some mixed fortune, the title race became a two horse race as Spurs poor form continued with them losing against Southampton. Manchester City piled on the pressure though coming away from their game against Watford with a win extending their lead to 4 points ahead of Liverpool's game. Liverpool had to win to stay right on City's tail ready to take advantage of any potential mistake in the remaining games of the season.
Following the 0-0 draw against Everton, there had been questions asked about the midfield being creative enough to supply Liverpool's attackers with enough chances and why Naby Keita and Xerdan Shaqiri are not being given more of a chance. Jurgen Klopp named the team most expected with a single exception, a rare start was given to Adam Lallana in midfield with Klopp citing how impressive he'd been in training ahead of the game. A possible hint that Shaqiri and Keita maybe aren't doing enough between games to persuade Klopp to bring them into the team. Burnley were coming off a loss but Sean Dyche named an unchanged team setting up in a 4-4-2 with top scorers Barnes and Wood up front.
Klopp had urged the fans to have an early night ahead of the lunchtime kickoff in hope of them being less tired and hungover to create a positive atmosphere, while Anfield wasn't rocking that it does on a European night the fans sang and got behind their team. Klopp could do nothing about the weather though as once again the players were faced with constant swirling winds as well as sporadic rain and hailstorms throughout the match.
In the opening minutes of the game, Joel Matip intercepted a launched ball forward, rather than direct it out for a throw-in he flicked the ball on to concede a corner kick. It was a bizarre decision by the centre back and one which proved costly as Ashley Westwood whipped the ball in sending it over the crowded penalty area and into the far side of the goal to hand Burnley an early lead. Liverpool's keeper Alisson furiously protested and replays showed he was impeded by Jack Cork leaning into him from the front while James Tarkowski held him down from behind preventing him from even being able to attempt to stop the ball flying over his head. The referee and linesman both missed the fouls and the goal was allowed to stand.
It was a cruel blow but fortunately, there was plenty of time for Liverpool to rectify the situation. Going a goal down seemed to inject a bit more life into the crowd which seemed to lift the players as they produced a series of neat attacks. Soon enough one lead to a goal with the ball being played over to Salah on the right, he gave it to Wijnaldum and then made a darting run into the box where he received it back from the Dutchman. Salah stretched but got enough of his foot on the ball to direct it across the face of the Burnley goal, Tarkowski and Heaton both dove to stop the ball but in doing so impeded one another allowing it to continue through where Roberto Firmino was on hand to tap the ball over the line and put Liverpool back on level terms at 1-1.
Around the half hour mark, it seemed like another of Liverpool's attacks had broken down when a chipped pass into the box by Firmino had been headed away and Burnley reclaimed possession. Hendrick brought the ball down for Bardsley to clear upfield but there seemed to be miscommunication between the pair and before they could react Adam Lallana launched himself into the situation blocking the ball which deflected towards Salah in the penalty box. Salah was taken out before he could bring the ball under control but the danger was far from over as it fell to Sadio Mane who curled a shot into the far corner of the goal with a brilliant finish continuing his recent goalscoring form and giving Liverpool a 2-1 lead.
The second half began and Liverpool had a few chances to extend their lead, the front three almost combined for a great counter-attack with Mane breaking forward and playing it to Firmino in the box while Salah found room and was unmarked at the far post, but the Brazilian couldn't quite deliver it to his teammate and the ball went out for a goal-kick. Minutes later Lallana laid the ball up for Robertson to swing a dangerous looking cross into the box that looked destined for Mane to head but Wijnaldum also decided to go for it and the pair impeded each other meaning neither connected cleanly enough and the ball went well wide. Tom Heaton then made a huge mistake of his own when he hit the resulting goal kick directly to Mo Salah providing the Egyptian with a free run at goal, he carried the ball into the penalty area before being taken out by Taylor. It was a clumsy tackle from behind and would have been a penalty however with Firmino running in the referee allowed the play to continue and the Brazilian struck the ball into the empty net for his 2nd goal of the game to make the score 3-1 in Liverpool's favour.
With 77 minutes played Jurgen Klopp decided to bring on Naby Keita in place of Adam Lallana, who left the field to resounding applause of appreciation. He played a crucial role in Liverpool's 2nd goal and had stood out in the midfield with his constant work off the ball as well as adding some creativity. The inclusion had paid off for Klopp and it's likely he was bringing him off with the midweek game against Bayern in mind.
Liverpool had a couple more decent attacks and came close to scoring again when Trent Alexander Arnold fizzed a ball into the box but Mane's shot was slightly too high and clipped the crossbar on it's way over. Salah had an attempt on goal too but didn't quite curl the shot far enough into the corner making it possible for Heaton to stop it. During the 3 minutes of injury time, Burnley sprung a rare attack and played a ball into the Liverpool penalty area. After a couple of blocked shots which Liverpool couldn't clear away the ball was played over to Gudmundsson who tucked it away before Robertson could get to him making it 3-2 and a potentially nerve-wracking few minutes for Liverpool.
On the 93rd minute, Liverpool managed to remove the nerves and restore the 2 goal cushion by added a 4th. Firmino picked the ball up halfway up the pitch and played the ball to Surridge who'd come on a few minutes prior in place of Alexander Arnold. Sturridge gathered the ball on his chest and while turning played a really clever ball forward slicing the defence apart and sending Mane through. It was a race to the ball between Sadio Mane and Tom Heaton and there was only ever going to be one winner, Mane touched the ball past Heaton avoiding his challenge and rolled the ball into the empty goal for his 2nd of the game and to seal the deal for his side making it 4-2 with just seconds remaining.
It was a great game and a huge victory for Liverpool who closed the gap to Manchester City back down to 1 point while pulling 12 clear of Spurs in 3rd. Liverpool sits on 73 points with 8 games remaining hoping City stumble at least once before the end of the season to give them a chance to get back ahead. There was one concern for Liverpool with Trent Alexander Arnold picking up a possible knock but it is hoped that he was brought off just as a precaution and it won't keep him out of action. Liverpool are right back in action again on Wednesday night when they play the 2nd leg of their Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.