It wasn’t fairly at instances, however Liverpool obtained the job carried out in opposition to a spirited Burnley aspect that may look again wistfully at probabilities squandered on this Premier League conflict at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s aspect had fallen to defeat in opposition to title rivals Arsenal in London final weekend however reclaimed high spot from Manchester Metropolis, who’ve a recreation in hand, with a 3-1 victory.
Burnley’s incapability to take their probabilities got here again to hang-out Vincent Kompany; as Liverpool have proved on quite a few events, their relentless assault will simply carry on plugging and probing.
Mohamed Salah stays in a interval of convalescence following a muscular harm sustained at AFCON however all three of Klopp’s beginning forwards had been on the rating sheet immediately.
Liverpool’s environment friendly assault prevails
Diogo Jota opened the scoring within the first half after discovering area within the ruck and notching onto Trent Alexander-Arnold’s supply from a nook, bagging his 14th objective from solely 17 beginning appearances in all competitions this time period.
Burnley had their alternatives for positive and Caoimhin Kelleher – standing in for Alisson after Klopp revealed there had been a flu outbreak within the squad this week – made three saves, notably stopping David Fofana after the break.
Dara O’Shea’s thumping header from a nook had handed the guests parity earlier than half-time however Luis Diaz touched dwelling from shut vary after 52 minutes to revive Liverpool’s lead, earlier than the mercurial Darwin Nunez headed in from Harvey Elliott’s cross to seal three factors for a record-attendance Anfield crowd.
Dominik Szobozlai was among the many absentees as soon as extra for Liverpool however the lack of his creativity was attenuated by Elliott’s efficiency, changing the injured Alexander-Arnold throughout the interval to show the tide.
Harvey Elliott “made the distinction”
Elliott, aged 20, has solely accomplished 4 begins within the Premier League this season however after supplying Nunez’s twelfth objective of the marketing campaign, his personal tally rises to at least one strike and three assists within the top-flight.
Not dangerous. Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones even famous that Elliott “made the distinction” for his lacklustre friends, who won’t have discovered their capturing boots with out his spark.
As per Sofascore, the England U21 worldwide was in effective displaying throughout his 45 minutes on the pitch, taking 41 touches, finishing 85% of his passes, creating one key go, integral in each of his staff’s targets after the break and finishing three of his 4 tried lengthy passes.
There stay questions round Elliott’s defensive utility – he received only one floor duel and made just one sort out – however ought to the younger buck proceed to make incremental beneficial properties to his craft then he’ll quickly be incomes alternatives from the outset with regularity.
Harvey Elliott: Key Traits |
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Supply: WhoScored |
He definitely appears like he is on the way in which to attaining this, with the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle handing the expertise a shocking 9/10 match score and writing: ‘Made prompt influence along with his vitality and care in possession, and put in inviting crosses for the second and third targets. Helped change the sport.’
As per FBref, the 5 foot 7 dynamo ranks among the many high 9% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for shot-creating actions, the highest 5% for progressive carries and the highest 4% for profitable take-ons per 90, emphasising the qualities that Klopp merely can not ignore.
A prodigious ability set now shaping into one thing match for objective on the coronary heart of Klopp’s intricately woven system, Elliott saved the day for the Reds and was the actual purpose behind the second-half success.