London: It would be too simplistic to say Liverpool responded to the test of nerve set by Manchester City. Jürgen Klopp’s team have been doing that since the first day of this enthralling season. This was a test of nerve set by Burnley, the match officials and the elements and they delivered on all counts to return the gap in the title race to one marginal point, reports The Guardian.
Liverpool fell behind to a controversial early goal but ultimately ran out comfortable victors thanks to a brace apiece from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané. They were also indebted to consistently poor defending from Sean Dyche’s visitors, who remain too close to the relegation zone for their own liking despite causing the title contenders problems all afternoon at a wet and windy Anfield.
The challenge for Klopp’s men began before Anfield had properly roused itself for the noon kick-off. Joel Matip, uncertain all afternoon, conceded a cheap early corner with a wayward header under minimal pressure. Ashley Westwood swung the resulting set-piece into a packed six-yard area and directly into the far corner of Liverpool’s net.
The small pocket of Burnley supporters erupted and so did Alisson, who had been sandwiched between Jack Cork and James Tarkowski as the ball entered his domain and unable to leap with a 6ft 1in defender on his back. Liverpool waited for Andre Marriner to penalise a clear foul but the referee pointed to the centre circle instead, sending the Brazilian goalkeeper apoplectic and into the notebook for dissent.
