KLOPP TELLS CITY: YOU CAN’T GET RID OF US
LIVERPOOL 4 BURNLEY 2 — SEE THE VERDICT,
LIVERPOOL will doubtless face bigger tests than this before the end of the season, but a question was asked of them here all the same.
These have not been easy weeks for Liverpool. With uncertain form has come indifferent results and as a consequence their lead at the top of the Premier League has disappeared beneath their feet.
So when referee Andre Marriner failed to spot a clear foul on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson as Burnley’s Ashley Westwood swung a corner straight into the goal in only the sixth minute, Jurgen Klopp’s players may have feared this was not going to be their day.
At the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Premier League leaders Manchester City took the lead with an offside goal. Here at Anfield, Liverpool were on the wrong end of a decision.
At this stage of the season, these things can make a difference if you let them but here Liverpool did not do that. They found a way back into the game and found a way to win. As such, this could turn out to be a significant afternoon in the context of their season.
Certainly, Alisson was fouled. Burnley defender James Tarkowksi could not have climbed over the Brazilian more effectively had he been equipped with rope and harness. But if a referee and two assistants do not spot a clear offence, what can you do?
Alisson made his feelings clear by chasing after the referee. All that got him was a booking. Liverpool as a whole managed to muster a more meaningful response. Two goals of their own before half-time set things right and, despite a Burnley strike right at the death, Liverpool spent much of the afternoon in control.
Liverpool were fortunate that Burnley were the opposition. After seemingly dragging themselves clear of danger with a win over Tottenham two weeks ago, they have returned to the dismal form of early season. Even the normally excellent goalkeeper Tom Heaton had a poor day and the timing could not have been worse given that an England squad is about to be announced.
Heaton was not the only one, either. Burnley’s defending was less than average and this helped Liverpool to put their early misfortune behind them and earn the result that keeps them a point behind City.
The equaliser was a little chaotic from a Burnley point of view. Mo Salah did well to reach the byline in that scampering way of his and when he pulled the ball back, Heaton seemed to palm it on to Tarkowksi before Roberto Firmino rolled it over the line from less than a yard. Liverpool supporters will have noticed that the villain of the piece at one end — Tarkowski — had now suffered from football’s fates at the other. Of greater importance was the fact that Liverpool were no longer behind. Soon, they were ahead. Liverpool were not devastating with the ball, not in that furious, hell for leather way that they can be. But they controlled play with Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana the pick of the attacking players and Virgil van Dijk used the ball elegantly from his deeper position.
About 10 minutes after equalising, Liverpool scored again. Lallana pressed the ball in classic Klopp fashion to block a Burnley clearance and when Charlie Taylor tackled Salah in the penalty area the ball ran to Mane who passed it high to Heaton’s left with his right instep.
Heaton didn’t dive simply because there was no point. It was not an easy chance to take first time — particularly in these poor weather conditions — but Mane made it look very straightforward indeed.
Deservedly ahead and with nerves settled, Liverpool dominated the half an hour period encompassing the ends of the first period and the start of the second. The only thing they didn’t do was score but just as this was beginning to become a problem, Burnley invited them to help themselves.
Heaton’s goal kick at the Kop End was terribly struck and when Salah picked up play he drove in towards goal from the right, allowing Firmino to score from close range when Taylor’s desperate tackle directed the ball into his path.
After that, Mane struck the top of the bar from two yards after Trent Alexander Arnold’s cross laid the ball on a plate and then Heaton, no doubt keen to make amends, threw himself to his right to paw away a shot from Salah. Two more goals were to arrive in added time and the shock was that the first went to Burnley, substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson beating Alisson at the far post. Briefly there was concern at Anfield. A draw — after all that possession — would have been unthinkable. But Alisson took a high ball well under pressure as Burnley belatedly threw the kitchen sink at things before Daniel Sturridge sent Mane clear and he eased past Heaton to finish the day with his second goal.
One thing was clear throughout all this. Playing after rivals City on a Premier League weekend is an uncomfortable business. Liverpool were four points behind at the start of play and that can’t have been pleasant.
With that in mind, Liverpool will face Fulham on Sunday sensing opportunity on a weekend when City are distracted by the FA Cup. Liverpool must win. Any more slip ups and there may be no final dash towards the line.