Liverpool continue perfect start to the new season

Jurgen Klopp’s men had stood up to the challenge posed by an organised and energetic Burnley outfit on their own Turf Moor patch. Burnley: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Lennon, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes (Rodriguez 73), Wood Unused substitutes: Hart, Taylor, Drinkwater, Hendrick, Vydra, Long  Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson (Oxlade-Chamberlain 71), Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane (Origi 85), Firmino (Shaqiri 85) Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Milner, Gomez, Lallana Scorers: Wood OG 33, Mane 37, Firmino 81  Booked: N/A  It is victories like this at venues like this that can prove so crucial when the title is decided. Teams sent out by Sean Dyche tend not to take prisoners and their ethic is summed up by their central defenders James Tarkowski and Ben Mee. This had all the makings of a contest where the pragmatism of the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho would be as valuable to Klopp of the adventure of his star names up front. And for the likes of UEFA player of the year Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip there was the prospect of subduing Ashley Barnes – over-looked by England manager Gareth Southgate but highly rated by Dyche. But it was his partner in crime Chris Wood who gave Liverpool and early scare and along with it a wake-up call for Van Dijk. Liverpool woke up and three minutes later Salah bemused the Burnley defence with a shot that thundered against the post and away to safety. Burnley – perhaps understandably under the arch-realist Dyche – sat deep and relied on long balls forward to feed Wood and Barnes. True, Dwight McNeil showed flashes of his immense promise but for the most part it was Burnley’s resilience against Liverpool’s growing menace and there was an escape in the 2oth minute. On such freak moments do the results of matches hinge – and Burnley saw all their effort and sweat undermined in an instant. The Brazil front man ran towards the Burnley area, drew the outnumbered Tarkowski and that left time and space for Mane to stroke the ball past Pope. A clear shot at goal was struck with power but no direction and the ball sailed high and very wide. Burnley recovered their rhythm in the second half and McNeil forced a free kick – but again Liverpool showed they had resolve at the back to match their ambition up front. Salah hit the side netting and then a menacing effort was blocked by Erik Pieters. But on the hour, Salah showed the selfish side to his nature as he worked an opening but with Firmino in the clear. But as Burnley showed more adventure, gaps appeared for Liverpool to use and after one spell of possession, Henderson crossed and Firmino’s volley was cleared by Mee.

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