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Burnley 0-1 Liverpool: Reds avoided 'banana skin', says boss Jurgen Klopp

By Gary RoseBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments2291

'Needed and delivered' - Klopp delighted after win in tricky conditions

Manager Jurgen Klopp was pleased to see his side overcome testing conditions and difficult opponents as Liverpool won at bottom-of-the-table Burnley to record a fourth consecutive Premier League victory.

In wind and rain at Turf Moor, Fabinho scored the game's only goal just before half-time, the midfielder stabbing the ball home from a corner.

"Everything was set up to be a banana skin for us," said Klopp.

"The balls in the air were so tricky to defend because the wind came from all directions. We played the circumstances rather than suffered from them."

Burnley, fighting for Premier League survival, had several good chances before Fabinho struck.

Josh Brownhill had a long-distance effort saved by Alisson, and January signing Wout Weghorst should have done better after racing through on goal.

Chances were few and far between in a scrappy second half although substitute Diogo Jota should have added a late second after a quick Liverpool break but shot wide.

"Most of their chances were offside but of course they had their moments, that is clear. They have quality but we dealt with it pretty well," Klopp added.

"We have to work incredibly hard and that is what the boys did. We made our shirts dirty. I am really happy because I know how difficult it is to come here. Absolutely satisfied."

The win means Liverpool are nine points behind leaders City with 14 games still to play, one more than their title rivals, who host the Reds in April.

Burnley remain bottom, seven points from safety.

Old guard return but Fabinho shines

Fabinho celebrates his goal against Burnley
Fabinho has scored his most goals in a season for Liverpool - six so far in all competitions

With Sadio Mane available again after helping Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations, Klopp opted to restore the old guard and started with a front three of Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, with in-form Jota on the bench.

But in driving rain and a blustery wind, the visitors' attacking trio often struggled to make an impact, although Mane did play an important role in the breakthrough goal.

The forward got a crucial flick on Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner and Fabinho ran on to it, hitting a first-time strike that was blocked on the line before the Brazilian followed up the rebound to poke in.

The goal continued Fabinho's impressive recent run of scoring form - it was his fifth in his past seven games in all competitions.

It secured an important three points from a game in which the Reds could easily have slipped up, with Burnley having held Manchester United to a draw on Tuesday.

Encouraging display by Burnley but wins needed

Premier League table
Newcastle's win against Aston Villa means Burnley are now seven points from safety

A win against a side chasing leaders Manchester City who had lost just once since 20 November was always going to be a difficult task for Burnley, but despite the result this was another encouraging display by the Clarets.

A combination of good saves and poor finishing was the only reason the hosts were not ahead before Fabinho struck and although Weghorst should have done better with a finish on the break, the striker once again put in an impressive performance.

He did, however, limp off midway through the second half and the Clarets will be hoping it is nothing serious because with his strength and height in attack and Maxwel Cornet's creativity, Burnley have the tools to give themselves a fighting chance of staying up.

Dyche rues missed chances but 'a lot to be pleased with'

But Sean Dyche's side have managed just one win all season and unless that record changes soon they could be cut adrift.

"That was a good performance against top class opposition but we didn't take our chances," said Dyche.

"I was pleased with the performance. Sometimes you have to forget where you are in the table because that performance will lead to more."

Player of the match

FabinhoFabinho

with an average of 7.73

Burnley

  1. Squad number1Player namePope
    Average rating

    5.40

  2. Squad number9Player nameWeghorst
    Average rating

    5.37

  3. Squad number5Player nameTarkowski
    Average rating

    5.26

  4. Squad number14Player nameRoberts
    Average rating

    5.26

  5. Squad number20Player nameCornet
    Average rating

    5.18

  6. Squad number6Player nameMee
    Average rating

    5.07

  7. Squad number18Player nameWestwood
    Average rating

    5.03

  8. Squad number19Player nameRodriguez
    Average rating

    5.01

  9. Squad number17Player nameLennon
    Average rating

    4.99

  10. Squad number23Player namePieters
    Average rating

    4.97

  11. Squad number11Player nameMcNeil
    Average rating

    4.96

  12. Squad number8Player nameBrownhill
    Average rating

    4.90

  13. Squad number10Player nameBarnes
    Average rating

    4.78

Liverpool

  1. Squad number3Player nameFabinho
    Average rating

    7.73

  2. Squad number1Player nameAlisson
    Average rating

    7.66

  3. Squad number26Player nameRobertson
    Average rating

    7.63

  4. Squad number4Player namevan Dijk
    Average rating

    7.51

  5. Squad number11Player nameMohamed Salah
    Average rating

    7.40

  6. Squad number20Player nameDiogo Jota
    Average rating

    7.39

  7. Squad number66Player nameAlexander-Arnold
    Average rating

    7.38

  8. Squad number6Player nameThiago Alcántara
    Average rating

    7.34

  9. Squad number32Player nameMatip
    Average rating

    7.21

  10. Squad number10Player nameMané
    Average rating

    7.18

  11. Squad number9Player nameRoberto Firmino
    Average rating

    7.16

  12. Squad number8Player nameKeïta
    Average rating

    7.10

  13. Squad number14Player nameHenderson
    Average rating

    6.97

  14. Squad number7Player nameMilner
    Average rating

    6.68

Line-ups

Burnley

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Pope
  • 14Roberts
  • 5Tarkowski
  • 6Mee
  • 23Pieters
  • 17Lennon
  • 18Westwood
  • 8Brownhill
  • 20Cornet
  • 19RodriguezSubstituted forMcNeilat 62'minutes
  • 9WeghorstSubstituted forBarnesat 75'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Lowton
  • 4Cork
  • 10Barnes
  • 11McNeil
  • 13Hennessey
  • 16Stephens
  • 22Collins
  • 26Bardsley
  • 28Long

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Alisson
  • 66Alexander-Arnold
  • 32Matip
  • 4van Dijk
  • 26Robertson
  • 14HendersonBooked at 27minsSubstituted forThiago Alcántaraat 59'minutes
  • 3Fabinho
  • 8KeïtaSubstituted forMilnerat 90+2'minutes
  • 11Salah
  • 9Firmino
  • 10ManéSubstituted forJotaat 67'minutes

Substitutes

  • 5Konaté
  • 6Thiago Alcántara
  • 7Milner
  • 15Oxlade-Chamberlain
  • 20Jota
  • 21Tsimikas
  • 23Díaz
  • 62Kelleher
  • 67Elliott
Referee:
Martin Atkinson
Attendance:
21,239

Match Stats

Home TeamBurnleyAway TeamLiverpool
Possession
Home33%
Away67%
Shots
Home8
Away12
Shots on Target
Home5
Away4
Corners
Home5
Away8
Fouls
Home7
Away6

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Burnley 0, Liverpool 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Burnley 0, Liverpool 1.

  3. Post update

    Offside, Burnley. Ben Mee tries a through ball, but James Tarkowski is caught offside.

  4. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. James Milner replaces Naby Keïta.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Naby Keïta (Liverpool).

  6. Post update

    Ashley Westwood (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Post update

    Offside, Burnley. Ben Mee tries a through ball, but Dwight McNeil is caught offside.

  8. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Connor Roberts.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Diogo Jota (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.

  10. Post update

    Offside, Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk tries a through ball, but Andrew Robertson is caught offside.

  11. Post update

    Offside, Burnley. Josh Brownhill tries a through ball, but Maxwel Cornet is caught offside.

  12. Post update

    Attempt missed. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right misses to the right. Assisted by Andrew Robertson with a cross following a corner.

  13. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Ben Mee.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Josh Brownhill.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Joel Matip.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Burnley. Ashley Barnes replaces Wout Weghorst because of an injury.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Fabinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Diogo Jota.

  18. Post update

    Offside, Liverpool. Andrew Robertson tries a through ball, but Roberto Firmino is caught offside.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Diogo Jota replaces Sadio Mané.

  20. Post update

    Offside, Liverpool. Andrew Robertson tries a through ball, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is caught offside.

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Comments

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2291 comments

  • Comment posted by bigwats99, at 16:00 13 Feb

    Burnley fans complaining about liverpool time wasting and fouls 😂😂 the irony

  • Comment posted by Lightning-F57, at 15:59 13 Feb

    One of those games where your happy to get 3 points and move on.

    • Reply posted by Jiggery Pokery, at 16:03 13 Feb

      Jiggery Pokery replied:
      We were awesome...

      We always are...

      Isn't it.

  • Comment posted by More Like It, at 16:00 13 Feb

    always ugly games against Burnley, all that matters at the end is a well earned 3 points

    • Reply posted by Jiggery Pokery, at 16:07 13 Feb

      Jiggery Pokery replied:
      A beautiful win...

      From European Royalty....

      🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

  • Comment posted by Save energy buy wooly socks, at 15:59 13 Feb

    I am so glad that games over and done with. They're such a difficult team to beat. Three more points and that's all we can do.

    • Reply posted by Loadsamoney, at 16:01 13 Feb

      Loadsamoney replied:
      So difficult to beat… they’re bottom of the league !!

  • Comment posted by My display name, at 15:59 13 Feb

    Waiting for the trolls and their var comments. The only thing var can be moaned at for today is not giving a blatant penalty to salah in the first half

    • Reply posted by Ridley79, at 16:03 13 Feb

      Ridley79 replied:
      An absolute joke decision. Clear and obvious mistake by the referee, but the VAR officials seem to be worse than the match officials. Referee, linesman, fourth official, and VAR official. All missed this with umpteen cameras and replays. Farce.

  • Comment posted by It does not matter what my name is, at 16:02 13 Feb

    Can you win on a rainy day in Burnley? Yes we can.

    • Reply posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 16:13 13 Feb

      Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC replied:
      A good win versus a team who always gives Liverpool a tough game at Turf Moor.

  • Comment posted by zilk, at 16:00 13 Feb

    Always a tough place for Liverpool to visit, but it's looking increasingly likely they won't be visiting next season.

    • Reply posted by lfchmb, at 16:10 13 Feb

      lfchmb replied:
      Tough against Burnley dream on! Your lot claim to be world beaters so how are Burnley tough!

  • Comment posted by kopprophet, at 16:09 13 Feb

    Some fans are childish. We have no god-given right to pump teams. Burnley are fighting for their lives and we have 3 games in a week. An ugly win is the sign of a good team - Man City have had a few too. Past teams would have drawn this game... stop complaining!

  • Comment posted by thebeatifullgame, at 16:02 13 Feb

    Ugly win. Enough said. 3 big points

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 16:58 13 Feb

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      Liverpool will be glad to get this game, it's always a tricky one.

  • Comment posted by Mr Red, at 16:05 13 Feb

    Regardless of where Burnley are in the table, always a tricky away game. Just about deserved 3 points, but that’s what we got.
    These wins are more important than winning 3 or 4 nil.

    • Reply posted by Brizey , at 17:44 13 Feb

      Brizey replied:
      Exactly that. Liverpool were nowhere near their best, but they take all 3pts again.

  • Comment posted by HarryJsAllstar, at 16:21 13 Feb

    My thanks to all the Liverpool fans who congratulated Chelsea on their win yesterday - true football fans.
    The league table by this stage of the season does not lie, and Liverpool and Man City are justifiably ahead at this stage.

    • Reply posted by The Beautiful Game, at 16:26 13 Feb

      The Beautiful Game replied:
      Well done yesterday.

      Just don’t mention winning Champions League or World Club to City fans..... they get a tad jumpy.

  • Comment posted by Edna Clouds, at 16:01 13 Feb

    One of the harder away fixtures of the season, clean sheet and no nightmares. On to the next … JFT97

    • Reply posted by lfchmb, at 16:17 13 Feb

      lfchmb replied:
      Bottom of the league is one of your hardest away fixtures? Oh at least you admit your low levels

  • Comment posted by footnote, at 16:01 13 Feb

    A scrappy 3 points but glad that one is out of the way .

    • Reply posted by Celts, at 18:06 13 Feb

      Celts replied:
      To the clown of a Man United fan above saying "going to Turf Moor is not a hard game".

      Can I just point out to you that Burnley have only lost 3 Premier league games at Turf Moor this season. By contrast, United have lost 4 Premier League games at Old Trafford this season.....

  • Comment posted by LFCFAN_TX, at 15:59 13 Feb

    Hate it when we play there. Liverpool made a few bad decisions but were generally in control. Roll on the Champions League.

    • Reply posted by Brizey , at 16:26 13 Feb

      Brizey replied:
      Crappie win @ Turd Moor will suffice

  • Comment posted by Munir, at 15:58 13 Feb

    Not pretty but a win

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 16:19 13 Feb

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      A win is a win.

  • Comment posted by LongTimeBlue, at 16:01 13 Feb

    The game at the Etihad will be very interesting.

    • Reply posted by JGB1968, at 16:04 13 Feb

      JGB1968 replied:
      not really Liverpool havent won their since 2016 in the league and lost recent games 0-5 , 0-4 , 0-4

  • Comment posted by Jake2703, at 15:57 13 Feb

    Grittiness not prettiness at this point of the season. 4 wins in a row, another clean sheet & we remain in the chase.

    • Reply posted by Rapha Elle, at 16:08 13 Feb

      Rapha Elle replied:
      It's called poorness

  • Comment posted by Shaibal, at 16:00 13 Feb

    Liverpool are not at their fluid best but a win is a win.

    • Reply posted by Metro1962, at 16:14 13 Feb

      Metro1962 replied:
      Scraped through a win you mean.