'Burn it down!...'
What has been a very tricky fixture for Liverpool in the past, turned out to be a routine win, as they triumphed away at Burnley for the third successive season. In the 2017/18 season; it took a late goal from Ragnar Klavan to seal the points, and in the 2018/19 campaign, a solid second half response brought a 3-1 victory amid some over zealous challenges by the men from Turf Moor. This game started awkwardly, with Adrian having to deny Chris Wood, and Liverpool being not being able to maintain possession for long stretches, but once they found their feet, there was only going to be one winner.
The starting xi caused the usual social media ruckus as Georginio Wijnaldum, and captain Jordan Henderson were selected in midfield with Fabinho, not quite the so-called 'Brexit' midfield as there was no James Milner, but nonetheless a few were not pleased. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Xherdan Shaqiri were on the bench with Milner, but Jurgen Klopp knew what to expect from the men he picked, as Burnley are a physical side, he wanted to match their energy and once again the Reds prevailed.
In the first half; after the aforementioned Chris Wood chance, when he connected onto a ball over the top of Liverpool's defence, where his left foot shot was saved by Adrian. Mo Salah, then almost put Liverpool ahead twice. First, Salah, struck the post with a swerving left foot hit, then minutes later, the ball ricocheted off him and wide after Nick Pope was quick off of his line when Salah was played through. Liverpool eventually took the lead when Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross was deflected off of Wood and looped over the unfortunate Pope. Shortly after, it was 2-0, as Ben Mee gave the ball away and Roberto Firmino slipped in Sadio Mane, who calmly passed the ball first time into the bottom corner. In the second half, James Tarkowski headed over for Burnley, Firmino then made sure the game was over when he seized on the ball after Salah was challenged, and he drove a well placed shot into the net in the 80th minute. Late on, Burnley substitute Jay Rodriguez was thwarted by Adrian, though Liverpool had Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip on the line anyway, but it was to be three points for the Reds and they are top of the table with an 100% record heading into the international break. Liverpool, now going back to the last campaign have now won 13 consecutive Premier League matches, a new club record.
A very professional job by the Reds, was ever so slightly tainted by a rant from Sadio Mane when he was taken off for Xherdan Shaqiri in the 85th minute. Mane, was upset that Salah had not passed to him when he had a clear run at goal. By the look of how he turned to manager Jurgen Klopp, he may feel that he should not have been taken off either, and that he seems more often than not to be substituted before Salah. We are unlikely to ever know the full story, but nonetheless, Liverpool did their necessary work on the pitch at a ground where big teams are likely to drop some points this season.
@DubulDee
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