Cheeky Reds full bodied to crush Clarets
DIFFERENT arena. Different problems. This week, no soft centre for the Liverpool fearsome front line to exploit.
The result, however, was the same. True, a freakish own goal and a Burnley defensive mistake were the foundations of Liverpool’s win.
The third strike from Roberto Firmino 10 minutes from time just sealed the deal. And it is now maximum points from four games for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It is victories like this at venues like this that can prove so crucial when the title is decided. Teams sent out by Sean Dyche tend not to take prisoners and their ethic is summed up by central defenders James Tarkowski and Ben Mee. If they are found wanting, it will never be through a lack of effort.
Liverpool have already shown their ability to adapt in two previous Premier League matches. At Southampton, they needed to grind out a result. They did.
Against Arsenal, they were at their fluent best at times. But Klopp was guarded after that 3-1 win. He knew the workout Burnley give teams.
This had all the makings of a contest where the pragmatism of the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho would be as valuable to Klopp as the adventure of his star names up front.
And for the likes of UEFA player of the year Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, there was the prospect of subduing Ashley Barnes. But it was his partner in crime, Chris Wood, who gave Liverpool an early scare and a wake-up call for Van Dijk.
With only two minutes gone, Wood turned inside the Dutch star and his shot across the Liverpool goal was turned away by Adrian. Liverpool woke up and, three minutes later, Mo Salah bemused the Burnley defence with a shot that thundered against the post and away to safety.
The tone was set. Burnley sat deep and relied on long balls forward to feed Wood and Barnes. But now Van Dijk and Matip were ready. In front of them, Henderson and Fabinho guarded the midfield.
Liverpool went ahead in the 33rd minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold clearly meant to cross from the right. But Wood — not spurning his defensive duties — tried to block the ball. Instead, it deflected off his back, changed direction and pace and dipped over keeper Nick Pope.
Four minutes later, Mee was the villain with a mis-hit pass that his contribution did not deserve.
He had time to bring the ball out and clear safely. Instead, his lax pass gave Firmino possession 30 yards out. The Brazil front man ran towards the Burnley area, drew the outnumbered Tarkowski and it left time and space for Sadio Mane to stroke the ball past Pope.
Burnley recovered their rhythm in the second half but, as they showed more adventure, gaps appeared for Liverpool.
Henderson fired in a cross and Firmino’s volley was cleared by Mee. Then Firmino emphatically smashed home the third goal for the visitors from 20 yards.
Klopp, who was surprised to learn Alexander-Arnold had not been awarded the first goal, was delighted with the manner of his side’s win.
‘Brilliant, they did really well,’ he said. ‘It was incredible how we defended, completely clean, no fouls, really physically and aggressive as well, but not overly aggressive.
‘Everybody worked their socks off but, in moments, we played some really good football.
‘We controlled the game as much as we can. With their set-pieces and their long balls, the last line of defence was unbelievable.’
Burnley boss Dyche refused to be too critical of his players and preferred to focus on Liverpool’s clinical counter-attacking.
‘They punished us,’ said Dyche. ‘We know they’re good on transition but today they were excellent.
‘I thought our performance was pretty strong. But as soon as the ball is turned over too cheaply too many times, which you can’t afford to do against them, they hurt you.’