Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane bury Burnley to get Liverpool's title bid back on track
At a moment in the season when every action and statement is forensically observed and studied by rivals, Jurgen Klopp was not going to miss his opportunity.
“The message is no-one gets rid of us if we play like this,” said the Liverpool manager. He was speaking to reporters but might as well have been pointing directly at Pep Guardiola.
Liverpool had beaten Burnley 4-2, overcoming the concession of an early goal direct from a corner. On such freakish setbacks ending title bids, opposition chants have been composed and recited for years. The amusement and enthusiasm for Manchester City supporters – and anyone else hoping for an Anfield stumble – after Ashley’s Westwood’s set-piece beat Alisson was short-lived.
Liverpool reacted assuredly, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino scoring two apiece. Klopp later declared Mohamed Salah man-of-the-match, easing the Egyptian’s disappointment having failed to match Alan Shearer’s 50 Premier League goals for one club in record time.
The point gap is back to one. More importantly, Liverpool were close to their best to negotiate one of those notoriously hazardous home fixtures – the sedate noon kick-offs not known for quickening the pulse. The wind was howling, too. After being mocked for a weather report at Goodison Park last week, Klopp wisely ignored the elements, especially as they played a role in Liverpool’s third when Tom Heaton’s clearance was caught in a gale.
Most encouraging of all, Liverpool benefited from a virtuoso performance from a player whose Anfield career appeared to be drifting in his ongoing search for fitness.
Liverpool have been eagerly anticipating such a return for one of their much-missed England midfielders - a creative force capable of giving the Anfield title challenge a final push.
That man was billed as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The reality is Adam Lallana is more likely to meaningfully contribute over the remaining three months.
This was only Lallana’s fourth Premier League start this season, and before kick-off most were asking how and why he was preferred to the Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri. The answer, Klopp explained, was form on the training pitch.
Klopp’s faith was validated as Lallana gave his sharpest performance in a Liverpool jersey for two years. He inspired his side’s two first half goals and by the time he departed on 77 minutes, he did so to a standing ovation.
It was Lallana’s long diagonal pass to Salah which took out Burnley’s midfield in the build-up to a 20thminute equaliser, Roberto Firmino tapping in after Heaton failed to deal with the winger’s cross.
More satisfying was the counter-press on Phil Bardsley, Lallana fist-pumping when his challenge on the edge of the Burnley penalty area fell directly to Salah, before Mane swerved in to ensure he scored in six consecutive Premier League home games – a strike putting him in esteemed Anfield company alongside Michael Owen, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Mohamed Salah.
This was symptomatic of Lallana’s overall performance, knitting the midfield and attack while consistently retrieving possession. What was most encouraging was the energy level and pace at which Lallana played – a reminder of the player of two years ago.
“If he can play like he trained, then he will help us a lot and that is exactly how it happened,” said Klopp.
“He is always good on the ball but he is a pretty aggressive boy as well. The counter press is a game-changer. It’s a brilliant thing in that moment. I am really pleased for him. He really deserves all the praise he got.”
Burnley’s lead was controversial, Liverpool keeper Alisson enraged James Tarkowski was not penalised for pulling him to the ground when Westwood whipped in the set-play.
The Brazilian was booked for the protests. Liverpool’s frustration could as easily have been directed to Joel Matip for inexplicably gifting the sixth minute corner.
Heaton’s mistake on 67 minutes led to the third, his clearance dropping to Salah. As the winger rushed towards goal, Charlie Taylor’s tackle fell into the gleeful path of Firmino for his second.
Liverpool should have had more – Mane hit the bar from three yards and Andy Robertson’s goalward strike was blocked by Mee – before Burnley briefly threatened a comeback in injury time.
Ultimately, Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s close range effort impacted only on Liverpool’s goal difference, Mane dribbling past Heaton to restore the two goal deficit.
The 90 seconds preceding Liverpool’s fourth were the only signs of anxiety on otherwise professional afternoon, Klopp’s side unconcerned at having to chase the champions again.
Victory means Liverpool are two points short of the tally for the whole of last season. This is only the third time in their history they have amassed 73 points from 30 games.
The scale of improvement is extraordinary, but Manchester City’s standard means even perfection between now and the finale may not be enough. It is astounding Klopp’s team have this chance.
“We have only to make sure that we stay in the really interesting competition on top of the table,” said Klopp.
“ We had the perfect mixture of fighting the opponent, fighting the circumstances and playing football.”
Eight games remain. The fight goes on.
Full-time! Liverpool 4 Burnley 2
Liverpool move to within one point of leaders Manchester City.
GOAL!!!! Liverpool 4 Burnley 2 (Mane 90+3')
GOAAALLLLL! Game, set and match. Firmino flicks a ball forward to Sturridge, who turns and produces a perfect defence-splitting through ball for Mane to run onto. Heaton flies out, but Mane gets there first and can then roll the ball into the empty net.
90+3 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 2
McNeil hangs up a cross from the left that Alisson just about clings onto. Excuciatingly nervy moments for Liverpool.
GOAL!!!! Liverpool 3 Burnley 2 (Gudmundsson 90+1')
GOAAALLLLL! After the ball pings around the box, the two substitutes combine, as Vydra feeds Gudmundsson, who finishes cooly beyond Alisson at the near post.
Three minutes of added time to be played.
87 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
The ball just won't go in for Salah. Mane tees him up an effort from about 10 yards out that Heaton gets across to paw away to safety. Salah didn't really have enough backlift to generate the necessary power.
86 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Both sides make their final changes - Sturridge on for Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool (Henderson is dropping to right-back), as Dyche replaces Barnes with Vydra.
85 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Phenomenal block from Bardsley to deny Robertson who smashed a shot from about 12 yards after hurtling forward to latch onto Mane's through ball. That would have been Robertson's first of the season.
82 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
How on earth has he missed that? Alexander-Arnold smashes in a low cross from the right that Mane meets from about two yards out, but he hits the ball into the ground and it bounces onto the bar and over. Ronny Rosenthal eat your heart out.
81 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Crouchy gets his first touch, but he is flagged for offside.
79 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Warm cheers for the former Liverpool striker Crouch as he replaces Wood. Gudmundsson also comes on, with Hendrick making way.
76 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Liverpool want a penalty when Mane's shot smashes onto Taylor's arm. Taylor didn't really do anything, but in the current climate that could easily have been a pen.
Lallana is given a standing ovation as he is replaced by Keita.
73 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Lallana's energetic performance has been a big plus for Liverpool today. They've really lacked the invention and dynamism from central midfield he provides in the last few weeks.
71 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
That goal is tough on Burnley, who have been the better side in the second half. Liverpool have scored with all three of their shots on target, as Fabinho is booked for cynically chopping down Barnes around the half-way line.
68 min - Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Liverpool replace Wijnaldum with Henderson. Suspect that's partly about protecting Wijnaldum for Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
GOAAAALLL!!! Liverpool 3 Burnley 1 (Firmino 67')
GOAAAALLLLLL! That should be that. Heaton takes a terrible goal-kick straight to Salah, who charges towards goal. He's just about to pull the trigger when Taylor produces a brilliant tackle - again though the defender's heroics get no reward. The ball simply rolls straight to Firmino for his second tap-in of the game. Liverpool on course to cut Manchester City's lead to just one point.
66 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Now it's McNeil taking Alexander-Arnold for a pie, twisting past the full-back but ultimately being denied by Van Dijk. That's happened a few times today. You might get past one or two of the Liverpool defenders, but Van Dijk is like one of those terrifying bouncers who has so much natural authority that he will just take you aside and usher you away from danger.
63 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
McNeil puts in another testing cross from the left that van Dijk has to smash clear. More encouragement for Burnley. Liverpool rocking ever so slightly.
59 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Aside from being taken for that pie, the teenage McNeil has had a really impressive game. He puts in another dangerous cross that evades everyone this time. Also, every time his name is mentioned I think of Lutricia McNeal - she of a couple of absolute 1990s bangers.
56 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Liverpool force a couple of corners, but Burnley defend them well - aside from McNeil hopelessly buying a Lallana dummy. As Rio Ferdinand would put it: "he's taken him for a pie there".
53 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Liverpool should double their lead. Mane feeds Firmino haring forward down the right, but the gusting wind carries Firmino's low cross well beyond Salah, who was waiting for a tap-in at the back post.
51 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
It's still not happening for Salah. He curls a decent effort from about 25 yards out that skews wide of the far post.
50 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Van Dijk is very nearly caught out by Barnes' through ball that is dramatically slowed down by the wind. He just about reacts in time to get the ball clear. Really positive start to the second half from Burnley.
49 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Burnley pin Liverpool back at the start of the second half with a succession of throw-ins down their left. Quite Sunday League-style.
46 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
We're back under way. No changes for either side at half-time.
Liverpool on top
Good response from Liverpool to falling behind, though their two goals sort of came out of nowhere. They weren't exactly piling on the pressure. You feel they'll need a third or Anfield will start to get horribly tense.
The quality's not been great so far, but the swirling wind has definitely been a factor in that. On an unrelated note, Lallana has probably been the game's best player so far.
Half-time: Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
McNeil thinks he's fouled by Alexander Arnold near the corner flag. Referee Andre Marriner says no way fella, and shortly after blows the half-time whistle.
HT: Liverpool 2 Burnley 1.
45 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Burnley force a free-kick in dangerous area, but a disciplined Liverpool line catches Wood offside. Three minutes of added time to be played...
44 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Robertson is inches away from nodding in Wijnaldum's right-wing cross. Impressive, patient build-up play to create the chance.
42 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Bit of a lull as we approach half-time. Liverpool have settled after that early setback.
39 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Barnes is down after an accidental clash with Van Dijk. He looks fine to continue though. And it's sleeting again! Sorry.
38 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
I'm aware that I'm banging on about the weather a lot... but that is ridiculous. Salah is chasing the ball when all of a sudden it just stops and completely wrongfoots him. Written down, that sounds a lot less amusing than it was at first viewing.
35 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
McNeil and Taylor have both had joy down the Burnley left, producing crosses that have tested Van Dijk and Matip. Van Dijk is forced into a hurried clearance under his own bar, but this time Alisson can come out and punch clear Westwood's corner.
32 min - Liverpool 2 Burnley 1
Salah looks to ensure all of Liverpool's front three are on the scoresheet before half-time, but he scuffs a volley wide of the near post.
GOAAAL!! Liverpool 2 Burnley 1 (Mane 29')
GOAAAALLLLL!!!!! Having been behind, Liverpool are in front! After Lallana does brilliantly to block Bardsley's attempted clearance, Taylor is forced into a last-ditch tackle that only lands at the feet of Mane. Supremely confident, Mane buries the finish first time in off the post from the left-hand side of the box. Beautiful, passed finish.
27 min - Liverpool 1 Burnley 1
That Firmino goal incidentally ends a run of six games without a goal going into this.
25 min - Liverpool 1 Burnley 1
The sleet is pouring down now, as Henderson - perhaps for some sort of forfeit - is sent to warm-up.
23 min - Liverpool 1 Burnley 1
Big mood change at Anfield now. Robertson gets forward well and is only stopped by a well-timed Hendrick tackle in the box.
GOAL!!!! Liverpool 1 Burnley 1 (Firmino 19')
GOAAAAAAALLLLLL!! Burnley were looking comfortable, but Liverpool are back in it. Salah exchanges passes with Wijnaldum and rolls in a low cross that Heaton and Tarkowski inexplicably fail to deal with. Firmino is left with a tap-in for a couple of yards out. Huge relief around Anfield.
19 min - Liverpool 0 Burnley 1
It's a really flat atmosphere at an Anfield that is now seeing sleet as well as the howling wind. You would think this is just how Sean Dyche's grizzly Burnley like it.
17 min - Liverpool 0 Burnley 1
Aplogies, a wee technical glitch there. We're now back up and running. Liverpool have had all of the ball since that goal, but no clear-cut chances. This looks like being a very testing afternoon for the hosts.
GOAL!!!! Liverpool 0 Burnley 1 (Westwood 7')
GOAAAALLLLLLLL! Wow, Burnley are in front! Liverpool give away a cheap corner and Westwood curls it straight in, clipping the far post as it curls all the way into the back of the net. Tarkowski is all over Alisson as he comes to claim it, so it really shouldn't have stood. Alisson is furious, and is booked for his complaints.
Burnley in front, but the goal should not have stood.
6 min - Liverpool 0 Burnley 0
Burnley win a free-kick in the Liverpool half and try a cheeky low pass to Wood. It's overhit though, and Alisson can come out and gather.
5 min - Liverpool 0 Burnley 0
Lallana has been busy in the opening minutes. He pops up down the left and digs out a cross that Heaton easily claims.
3 min - Liverpool 0 Burnley 0
It's a blustery old afternoon in Liverpool, which might displease Herr Klopp.
Kick-off
We're under way at a sun-drenched Anfield.
A reminder of the teams for this one:
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Lallana; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Subs: Lovren, Keita, Henderson, Sturridge, Mignolet, Shaqiri, Origi
Burnley: Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood
Subs: Lowton, Gudmundsson, Brady, Gibson, Crouch, Hart, Vydra
The teams are out
And kick-off is just a few minutes away.
Klopp explains Lallana's selection
Quite simple really. Klopp says the midfielder trained "exceptionally well" all week in training.
Liverpool briefing
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What pressure?
Speaking on BT Sport, Michael Owen is quite dismissive of the idea that Liverpool's players will be feeling the pressure. He says footballers are so focused on the next game, they won't be worried by concerns like how the fans are feeling or by Liverpool's lack of title since 1990.
The cynics among you might point to the fact that Owen doesn't have that much title-winning experience.
No return of the Shaq
No surprise to see Klopp try and bring in some extra midfield creativity, but there'll be some Liverpool fans who would have preferred to see Xherdan Shaqiri instead of Adam Lallana. Shaqiri though has been sidelined over the last few weeks, not even being summoned from the bench against Everton last week.
Naby Keita would also have been an option, and a penny for the dropped Jordan Henderson's thoughts.
Burnley meanwhile will look to frustrate Liverpool with their two banks of four, and hope Wood and Barnes up front can disrupt Matip and Van Dijk.
And the teams in funky tweet form
#LIVBUR team news.
Here's how the Reds line-up... https://t.co/MMdCj5ruWz— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 10, 2019
TEAM NEWS: Here is your Clarets line-up that will face @LFC today. pic.twitter.com/s06KTNUj9o
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) March 10, 2019
Team news is in - Lallana starts for Liverpool
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Lallana; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Subs: Lovren, Keita, Henderson, Sturridge, Mignolet, Shaqiri, Origi
Burnley: Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood
Subs: Lowton, Gudmundsson, Brady, Gibson, Crouch, Hart, Vydra
Home straight
Over to you then, Liverpool. After Manchester City held their nerve yesterday to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points, Jurgen Klopp’s side have no margin for error this afternoon at home to Burnley.
A victory would reduce the deficit to one point, but anything less will leave Liverpool with a mountain to climb if they are to reel the champions in. Klopp will also have in the back of his mind that Liverpool travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. It’s a delicate balancing of priorities in a week that could have catastrophic consequences for his team. On the flip side, Liverpool may be dreaming of a Premier League-Champions League double in a few days’ time.
Anyway, what Burnley wouldn’t give to have a dilemma of which elite competition to prioritise. For them, the only aim this season is survival, which is suddenly looking a little doubtful after Southampton and Cardiff both won yesterday. Having looked relatively comfortable a couple of weeks ago, Burnley now find themselves just one place and two points above the drop zone.
The Premier League table suggests Liverpool should run out comfortable winners here, but they have found victories hard to come by in the last few weeks. They have still lost only once all season, but four draws from their last five league matches has stalled their momentum.
That said - as I wrote this week - talk of Liverpool bottling the title is ridiculously unfair. Their points per game tally after 29 matches has them on course to surpass all but three of the previous Premier League winners - including Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ - and if they do end up losing the title it looks as though it will be primarily down to City’s brilliance.
Picking up the three points today would be a welcome riposte for Klopp to the accusations that his side is faltering as we head towards the final furlongs.
Kick-off is at 12 noon, and we’ll have team news for you shortly.
