- Liverpool beat Burnley 2-0 on Boxing Day to go top of the Premier League table
- Arsenal could regain top spot with success over West Ham on 28 December
Burnley vs Liverpool was one of the biggest fixtures played in the Premier League on Boxing Day. Whereas Liverpool were seeking a win to go top of the standings before Arsenal play on Thursday, Burnley needed victory to increase their chances of getting out of the relegation zone.
The Reds managed a hard-fought win at Burnley, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. Nunez opened the scoring for the visitors inside six minutes by guiding a lovely finish from the edge of the box to record his eighth goal of the season. However, Liverpool supporters had to wait until stoppage time to celebrate their team’s second goal of the night scored by Jota.
Burnley vs Liverpool. Photo/ Football 365.
Whereas Jurgen Klopp’s side had a total of 19 shots and worked the impressive James Trafford into eight saves, Burnley failed to test Alisson into a single save throughout the match. Liverpool dominated the contest from start to finish and were just unlucky not to score more goals. Nevertheless, they took all three points on home and are currently on top of the Premier League table with 42 points. Arsenal could regain top spot with success over West Ham on 28 December.
Speaking after Liverpool’s Boxing Day victory against Burnley, Jurgen Klopp commented on his side’s failure to take chances.
“We created a lot of chances recently and didn’t use an awful lot of them. But in the end it’s all about performing. It’s the fourth game in 10 days and whatever the body is doing, how you lose focus, you’re not as precise anymore, you just have to get through it. We got through it and now we have five days until the next game and it feels like we should go on holiday.” Jurgen Klopp told Amazon Prime, as per Sky Sports.
Burnley Vs Liverpool
Liverpool made five changes from the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, with Joe Gomez, Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Jarrell Quansah and Ryan Gravenberch being included in the starting XI. On the other hand, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany replaced Jacub Bruun Larsen with Mike Tresor in the only change from his side’s 2-0 victory against Fulham before Christmas.
The hosts started the game well and looked confident than many expected they would be when playing against an opponent like Liverpool. However, they found themselves behind six minutes into proceedings when Darwin Nunez received a pass from Cody Gakpo and then rifled an effort home from the edge of the box.
It was the Uruguayan striker’s first goal in 13 matches across all competitions. He had gone over 600 minutes without scoring a goal at Anfield or away.
Having secured an early lead, it looked as though Liverpool were on course to a big win at Turf Moor; however, things didn’t actually turn out that way. The Reds missed several opportunities, and Burnley supporters will particularly be grateful to James Trafford for stopping a humiliation that would have occurred at home.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper made a brilliant save to stop Mohamed Salah’s effort from going into the net after initially denying Elliot Harvey. Gakpo sent a wild attempt off-target and saw his frustration in front of goal grow when he was denied by Trafford. The Dutchman thought he had finally given his side a two-goal lead but his effort was ruled out for Nunez’s foul on Charlie Taylor.
Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota scored as Liverpool beat Burnley 2-0 on Boxing Day. Photo/ Goal.com.
Mo Salah came close to scoring again in the first half but his ferocious strike rattled the crossbar. Liverpool continued to dominate the game after the restart and Elliot had a goal disallowed because Salah interfered with play while in an offside position.
After numerous attempts, Klopp’s side finally had their second goal in stoppage time scored by Diogo Jota. The Reds have now won their last seven games on Boxing Day and also continued their excellent away form following the victory on Tuesday night.
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