Liverpool earned an ugly 2-1 victory over a stubborn Burnley side, as they recorded back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 2017.
This was a far cry from the brilliance of last weekend’s 3-1 triumph over Arsenal, but at the end of the day, three points were all that mattered.
The Reds never convinced at any point on a nervy afternoon at Anfield, but goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can overturned an early deficit.
Burnley were the better team in the opening 45 minutes, with the Clarets first to every second ball and Can having a particularly poor game in the middle of the park.
With Ashley Barnes’ goal in the front of the Kop giving the visitors the lead, Wijnaldum pounced from close-range to level the score just seconds before half-time.
Simon Mignolet was one of the few Liverpool players who was relatively faultless, with the goalkeeper making a number of good second-half punches under pressure.
Ben Woodburn was introduced on the hour mark in place of the hugely below-par Philippe Coutinho, with the youngster producing a mature showing.
After a very poor first 60 minutes, Can redeemed himself with an excellent 25-yard strike in front the Kop, and celebrated in style.
Seconds later, Ragnar Klavan made a vital block to deny Barnes, making up for what had been a shaky display up against Andre Gray.
After a tense finale, Liverpool saw the game out and recorded arguably their most gritty win since the 2-1 success at Swansea City back in October. Jurgen Klopp saluted the home crowd at the full-time whistle.
Attention now turns to the trip to an in-form Man City side next Sunday, which promises to be an enthralling encounter.
Klopp’s side sit fourth in the Premier League table, and while they are five and six points ahead of Arsenal and Man United, respectively, their rivals have two games in hand on the Reds.
Fan Comments