Liverpool wins ugly against Burnley to keep title hopes alive
Liverpool travelled to Burnley for Sunday’s Premier League game, propelling to bring down the cushion back to nine points at the top.
Liverpool’s every step they make is matched by Manchester City, Guardiola’s side have to drop points for Klopp’s men to triumph in the League. But the Reds also can’t lose their own grip on the process.
A no margin for error is accepted by the Reds at this stage of the season’s campaign.
And with that motivation, Klopp’s side went to Burnley’s Turf Moor in an awful Sunday afternoon.
The game started with intensity and both the goalkeepers were at their level best to not concede. The weather conditions wreaked havoc at a windy Turf Moor conditions, and Burnley played their usual robust game.
But Alisson showed why he is highly regarded as one o the best goalie in the world. He came up with some crucial saves throughout the afternoon to make sure Liverpool are not pushed back to back foot by the Clarets.
In the meantime, at the 40th minute, Fabinho breaks the deadlock to put the visitors at the top. Alexander-Arnold’s corner swings in, a nick heads it into the middle of the box, and the Brazilian puts past Pope.
In the second half, it was pretty much a similar story as to the first half with neither team able to capitalize on their chances. As both teams came close to scoring but left disappointed each time.
In the end, Fabinho’s decisive first-half goal is enough to seal victory for Liverpool against the stubborn Burnley at Turf Moor.
At full-time, it finishes Burnley 0-1 Liverpool. It was by no means a straightforward victory as the Clarets put up a good fight in the afternoon.
The win keeps the Reds in the hunt for the title race and keeps themselves at Man City’s toes.
Key Numbers
Under German coach Klopp, Liverpool have won their previous five games at Burnley, this feat is only exceeded by seven wins in Premier League at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park.
Burnley becomes the first time since Derby County in the 2007-08 season to register just a win from 21 Premier League games (D11, L9).
Liverpool’s latest win means the Reds have won each of their last six bottom-of-the-table sides. Moreover, in the process, they have scored 13 and conceded none.
Burnley vs Liverpool: Post match reaction
Klopp’s delightful reaction on whether a 1-0 was the best result he could hope for given the adverse weather conditions.
Absolutely. I am absolutely delighted with the way we played the circumstances, it was so tricky.
Today, complete adults’ football was needed and that’s what the boys delivered. I am really happy about that.
Klopp speaks on Fabinho being Liverpool’s new goalscoring midfielder.
Yeah, great! Actually he probably would have already scored much more goals for Liverpool if I would have put him in the box in offensive set-pieces: only recently we put him in and since then he scores! Great goal, an absolutely great goal.
When asked about Sadio Mane’s performance after only returning to training on Friday.
Sad played really, really well. As I said before [the game], it was not the plan to start him today because we know how intense everything was, but Diogo had a dead leg and couldn’t train yesterday, so we started Sadio.
Klopp reacts to whether Virgil van Dijk is back to his best.
He is completely back on track, he is absolutely at his best again and I would say it’s good timing because the decisive part of the season is coming up now.
What’s next for Liverpool?
A trip to Serie A holders Inter in the Champions League awaits for Liverpool. A massive game for Liverpool, who have been successful in the competition in recent years.
This game will be the first meeting between both sides since 2008.
