Liverpool Maintain Winning Start At Packed Anfield
22 August, 2021
Liverpool maintained their winning start to the 2021/22 Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Burnley at a packed Anfield.
Premier League
Result: Liverpool 2-0 Burnley
Date: 21 August 2021
Venue: Anfield
Click through the gallery above to see some action from Liverpool's win over Burnley.
The Reds made two changes from their opening day's big win over Norwich City, as 18-year old Harvey Elliott made his first Premier League start alongside Jordan Henderson, with James Milner out with a knock while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was out on compassionate leave.
The game was open in the early stages as Diogo Jota gave the hosts the lead in the 18th minute with a glancing header at the near post after a precise cross by Konstantinos Tsimikas.
Jurgen Klopp's charges were building up attacking momentum and Mohamed Salah thought he had made it 2-0 in the 27th minute with a neat curling finish from Elliott's through ball but the goal was disallowed for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Liverpool were playing a high line in the closing phase of the first stanza and they nearly paid the price for it on the stroke of half-time after James Tarkowski latched onto a long free-kick by Matt Lowton, leaping ahead of goalkeeper Alisson, but it sailed just wide of the gaping net after taking a slight deflection.
Ashley Barnes thought he had levelled matters for Burnley after slotting a cross by Lowton inside the box but the goal was disallowed for offside and the Clarets were spirited after that.
However, the Reds were finding spaces upfront and Salah came very close to doubling their lead on the hour-mark after pulling the trigger inside the six-yard box but Dwight McNeil made a vital block close to the bottom corner.
Sadio Mane eventually got the insurance goal for Liverpool in the last 21 minutes with a thumping half-volley unmarked inside the box after a delightful through ball by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp made a double change in the last nine minutes for fresh legs, as Thiago Alcantara replaced Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino came on for Jota.
Mane had a great chance to add a third for Liverpool five minutes before time after a cut-back from Salah on the byline but the Senegalese could not connect with the ball at the near post, as two goals were enough to hand the Reds their second straight win.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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