Liverpool ratings: Van Dijk, Nunez impress in win at Burnley

Liverpool went to the highest of the Premier League desk on Boxing Day as they secured a 2-0 victory in opposition to Burnley at Turf Moor.

The guests obtained themselves into an early lead when Cody Gakpo discovered Darwin Núñez at the sting of the field, and the Uruguay worldwide guided a exact end past James Trafford for his first objective in 13 matches. Gakpo had the ball in the online afterward in the primary half, however his effort was disallowed after Nunez was judged to have fouled Burnley defender Charlie Taylor. Mohamed Salah got here closest to doubling the lead subsequent, although his strike from Gakpo’s cross was denied by the crossbar.

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Liverpool thought they’d scored once more in the second half when Ryan Gravenberch’s cross was positioned into the nook by Harvey Elliott, however VAR dominated that Salah’s offside place was interfering with play.

Burnley had been buoyed with the sport nonetheless in the steadiness at 1-0 down, however after Jóhann Gudmundsson after which Jacob Bruun Larsen fired off course, Liverpool substitute Diogo Jota produced an beautiful end from a slender angle to wrap up all three factors for Klopp’s aspect.

Positives

Liverpool created a number of probabilities and took maintain of the sport early on, creating greater than sufficient probabilities to place the sport away. Diogo Jota additionally made his return to motion and proved to be decisive, with a superb end previous Burnley’s greatest performer on the night time, Trafford.

Negatives

The Reds may have been extra scientific with the probabilities they created, and so they additionally allowed Burnley again into the sport after the hour mark.

Manager score

Jurgen Klopp, 7 — Showed robust squad administration by beginning Jarell Quansah in this one, whereas his midfield choice additionally labored with shiny performances from each Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch. That shall be essential going ahead amid the busy festive schedule. He may also be happy to see substitute Diogo Jota rating on his return to motion.

Player rankings (1-10; 10 = greatest, gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)

GK Alisson, 6 — Two late scares noticed Burnley shut with two efforts that went off course, with the Brazil worldwide goalkeeper having fun with a sport in which the opponents did not register a single shot on track.

DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 7 — Started wider in the primary half and created area for Liverpool’s midfield, additionally placing a lot of harmful balls into the field.

DF Jarell Quansah, 7 — A powerful intervention stopped a doubtlessly menacing cross from Zeki Amdouni, who had gotten right into a harmful space after beating Curtis Jones. Called upon once more in the eightieth minute and made no mistake along with his problem.

DF Virgil van Dijk, 8 — The Liverpool captain lower a composed determine at the again, and impressed along with his passing means, which was a continuing risk for Burnley’s defensive position. The Dutch worldwide marshalled his defence nicely through the Clarets’ greatest spell, at all times fast to anticipate hazard.

DF Joe Gomez, 7 — Patient in his defending and obtained the very best of his duels with Burnley’s attackers. Provided an possibility down the left flank and selected the appropriate moments to go forwards.

MF Harvey Elliott, 7 — Encouragingly, he at all times seemed to play the ball progressively when in possession, and after making an attempt his luck from outdoors of the field early on, he performed in Mohamed Salah from an analogous place later in the primary half. His objective was dominated out by VAR who dominated that Salah’s offside place interfered with play.

MF Wataru Endo, 7 — Another shiny efficiency from Endo, in which he was at all times in the appropriate place to get well the ball and confirmed spectacular decision-making in extra superior areas. Also, that was the fifth sport in 13 days that the Japan worldwide has began for Liverpool, making him the one participant in Jurgen Klopp’s squad to take action.

MF Ryan Gravenberch, 7 — The Dutch star impressed when driving ahead with the ball, and he ought to have achieved higher along with his effort in the seventh minute that he didn’t correctly join with. The Liverpool midfielder took care of the ball, however left the pitch with out an help after Harvey Elliott’s objective was dominated out.

FW Mohamed Salah, 7 — The celebrity was troublesome to choose up by the house aspect, and he someway ended the primary half and not using a objective regardless of drawing a robust save from the goalkeeper earlier than hitting the bar. A continuing possibility in ahead areas, he virtually picked out Luis Díaz in the second half at the again publish.

FW Cody Gakpo, 7 — The Netherlands worldwide began from the left flank and linked nicely with Darwin Nunez throughout the match, together with for the Uruguay worldwide’s opener in the sixth minute. Almost secured his second help with a direct cross to Mohamed Salah that was struck onto the bar.

FW Darwin Nunez, 7 — A exact end from the sting left goalkeeper Trafford with no likelihood and capped a vigorous show that noticed his objective drought deservedly come to an finish.

Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)

MF Curtis Jones (for Gravenberch, 66″), 6 — Beaten too easily by Zeki Amdouni when coming on, but did help Liverpool restore control in the match.

FW Luis Diaz (for Gakpo, 67″), 7 — The Colombia worldwide was denied by Trafford with an opportunity that may have put the sport out of sight in the ultimate minutes, although he did present the help Diogo Jota for Liverpool’s second.

MF Dominik Szoboszlai (for Elliott, 67″), 6 — Szoboszlai almost scored moments after being introduced, but his contact diverted the ball away from the goal. Blasted his next effort from range high and wide of the goal.

FW Diogo Jota (for Nunez, 84″), N/R — A optimistic second for Liverpool as they welcomed again Diogo Jota from his current harm, and it did not take lengthy for him to get on the scoresheet as he registered his fiftieth objective for the membership when making it 2-0.