LIVERPOOL IN CITY PURSUIT
Reds get job done at Burnley, Spurs lose again
LIVERPOOL closed the gap at the top of the Premier League with a 10 win at Burnley in difficult conditions on Sunday while Tottenham Hotspur slipped to a third consecutive league defeat as they succumbed 2-0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
West Ham United capitalised on Spurs dropping further points in the race for a spot in the top four as Craig Dawson snatched the Hammers a lastgasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Leicester City, while Newcastle United boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
Liverpool’s trip to Burnley was a potential “banana skin”, as manager Jurgen Klopp put it after the match, despite the hosts coming into the contest having won just one of their previous 23 league games.
League leaders Manchester City’s 4-0 win at Norwich City on Saturday extended their advantage over second-placed Liverpool to 12 points, and with games running out the Reds knew they needed to close that gap.
The home side initially adapted better to the awful conditions in Lancashire, but their profligacy in front of goal cost them dear as Fabinho pounced to score what proved to be the winner in the 40th minute.
It was the Brazilian’s fifth goal since the turn of the year.
Burnley continued to press in the second half, but Liverpool dug in to see out the win, with goalkeeper Alisson standing firm when called upon.
“It was so difficult to play here, but today especially because of the circumstances,” Klopp said.
“The wind came from all directions and the boys had to play superbly to judge that. Burnley had their moments but Alisson was there.
“Next game is Leeds who are in a fight for survival as well. These are really difficult and that is why we don’t think about it (the title race).”
Burnley remain rooted to the bottom of the table on 14 points, now seven points from safety after 17th-placed Newcastle beat Villa at St James’ Park.