LONDON: LIVERPOOL returned to the top of the Premier League with a deserved 3-1 victory over Burnley in front of a record attendance at Anfield.
Manchester City had climbed above the Reds earlier on Saturday thanks to Erling Haaland’s double in a 2-0 win over Everton, but a crowd of 59,896 roared Jurgen Klopp’s side back in front by two points.
But Burnley, seven points adrift of safety, gave them an almighty scare after Diogo Jota had nodded the hosts in front with Dara O’Shea powering a brilliant header in at a corner before the break.
Luis Diaz restored Liverpool’s lead early in the second half but the goal was subject to a lengthy VAR check for offside while there was also potentially a foul in the build-up on Aaron Ramsey by Alexis Mac Allister that led to Burnley manager Vincent Kompany being booked.
Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofona then missed two huge chances to bring Burnley level before Darwin Nunez steered a late header into the left corner to secure the points.
Caoimhin Kelleher started in goal for Liverpool in place of the sick Alisson and produced a smart save early on with his right hand to deny Zeki Amdouni, who had burst into the area past Virgil van Dijk, amid a bright start from the visitors.
Liverpool were sluggish and sloppy yet went ahead against the run of play just after the half-hour mark. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner lured goalkeeper James Trafford off his line but he failed in his attempts to catch the delivery which allowed Jota to head into an empty net.
