Burnley vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League latest updates as Diogo Jota scores off the bench
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds look to get back to winning ways against Vincent Kompany’s resurgent Clarets
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Liverpool lifted themselves to the top of the Premier League following a 2-0 victory over Burnley on Boxing Day.
The Reds were held last time out in a thrilling stalemate against Arsenal, but bounced back against Vincent Kompany’s side.
The result looked in little doubt when Darwin Nunez scored in the 6th minute, but Burnley fought hard, and Liverpool had to wait until substitute Diogo Jota marked his return from injury with a 90th-minute goal to wrap up the victory.
Liverpool also had two disallowed goals and mostly dominated throughout, but there were warning signs from Burnley, but it was James Trafford’s effort in front of goal that ensured the game went as dep as it did.
Follow all the updates from the Premier League’s festive schedule, plus team news and all live action from Turf Moor below - plus check out the latest odds and tips for the festive football here.
Liverpool go top with win at Burnley – but their biggest issue remains clear for all to see
Burnley away under the lights on Boxing Day; not the easiest of scenarios for Liverpool, needing a win on the road after two successive Premier League draws at Anfield. But a goal six minutes in from Darwin Nunez and six minutes from time by Diogo Jota clinched three arduous points an hour up the M65 – and gave Jurgen Klopp the only Christmas present important to him and his football club.
For quite some time though, it was not so cheery in the Liverpool dugout. More VAR controversy and perplexment ensued at Turf Moor. A hatful of opportunities came and went, as did two disallowed goals. It should not have been so tempestuous but in the end, Liverpool limped over the line and go top of the Premier League, ahead of Arsenal’s clash against West Ham on Thursday.
This wasn’t dissimilar to their trip to Sheffield United earlier in the month. Their general control of the match was clear to see, but so was their wastefulness in front of goal. After spurning 34 shots at goal against Manchester United with scant reward and 13 versus Arsenal with just a solitary goal, it was a similar tale this time around. 19 shots tonight produced only two goals – but this time it did not cost them.
Kieran Jackson at Turf Moor:
Liverpool go top with win at Burnley – but their biggest issue remains clear to see
Burnley 0-2 Liverpool: Goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota send the Reds top of the table despite another 90 minutes of missed opportunities in front of goal
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
Klopp added: “We created a lot of chances recently in the last 10 days and didn’t use an awful lot of them but in the end it’s all about performing.
“We said before the game it’s four in 10 days and how you lose focus, you just have to get through it, now we got through it and we have five days until the next game which feels like we should go on holiday really.
“I told the boys before the game, if we win they have two days off and I saw my holiday slipping through my fingers...”
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp said to Amazon Prime: “From time to time I really tried to find what is really the Liverpool way and obviously it looks a little bit like we throw hurdles in front of us and eventually we somehow find a way to get over it but it’s unbelievable.
“We played an incredible game of football and it was just 1-0 that’s really strange. They could have scored the equaliser, and with the most difficult situation of the whole game probably we scored for 2-0 and Diogo Jota with just an incredible goal.”
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
When asked about Liverpool going top of the league, Van Dijk said: “It’s December, so we won’t think too far ahead, but I’m very pleased because it’s the last game for us of the year and now it’s time to have a little bit of time together with your family and then we focus on Newcastle and we will see.
“We will focus on ourselves but we will see by February/March what the table looks like but we are hoping to be up there and competing with the others and let’s see where we could be.”
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
When asked about Quansah’s clean sheet, Van Dijk said: “He’s a fantastic talent and up and coming and I think from the moment he had his chance and his debut away at Newcastle he’s been improving so it’s nice to see, I really like that so if I can help him I’m really pleased.”
On Nunez ending his goalless run, the defender said: “As a striker if you don’t score for a little bit it could get in your head but I don’t really see that with the guys, they are pushing each other.
“You see how Cody (Gakpo) plays that first half - outstanding. Diogo (Jota) comes in and makes another goal so it’s really good to see and we also have to keep pushing each other in order to stay hungry.
“We have the hunger in the team so let’s give it all.”
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
Virgil Van Dijk said to Amazon Prime after the game: “Obviously it’s very important to get three points here, it’s been a very intense nine or 10 days with four different games and there have been challenges.
“I think we did very well, obviously there was a bit of chaos after the goal that was disallowed but overall I’m pleased with the performance, I think we did well, and we won.”
On what it says about the team, he added: “I don’t think there was a lot of luck, but it’s never easy and they play at home and they won their last game so they had a bit of confidence as well and we have to be very good and ready to suffer as well so I think we were good and with the changes we made I’m very pleased with the result.”
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
At the other end of the table:
Burnley remain in the relegation zone, but still have two more points than Sheffield United, who have played the same number of games.
Luton are in 18th, with four points more than Burnley, with Everton one above Luton with 16, and Nottingham Forest another one above them following their win over Newcastle with 17.
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
Let’s have a quick look at how the table looks after Liverpool’s win:
Klopp’s side lead Arsenal by two points, although the Gunners have a game in hand.
Aston Villa were three points behind before their clash with Manchester United, but have a goal difference of 16 compared to Liverpool’s 23.
And Tottenham sit in fourth place, again with a game in hand, but six points behind the top side.
FT: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
Full time: Liverpool might have made that more difficult than they expected, but Diogo Jota’s late goal has secured a victory that sees the Reds move to the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal are not due to play until the 28th so they will stay there regardless of the result of Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa later.
Burnley fought hard, but yet again for Liverpool it was a case of not being clinical enough with possession and chances to put the game to bed earlier than the 90th minute.
Nunez’s goal secured an early lead, then with two disallowed goals, it was a case of biding their time for the visitors, while Trafford did his best between the Burnley posts to keep Liverpool at bay.
Liverpool have won seven in a row on December 26th, and the Boxing Day ‘magic’ was there again.
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