Liverpool’s Diego Jota and Sadio Mane shake Burnley and delight the fans’ return | Premier League

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Jurgen Klopp walked out with a beaming smile at Harvey Elliott, the teenager who had seamlessly entered the life of the Premier League and Liverpool’s midfield, and to the fans whose victory made the joint experience even greater once again. “We’ve missed you madly,” the Liverpool boss ended his programme’s remarks. His players made up for lost time with a wonderful victory over Burnley.

Sean Daichi’s side have twice benefited from a cold and silent Anfield during lockdown, ruining Liverpool’s undefeated home record last season and their 100% winning streak when they lifted the title the previous season. This was a case of business getting back to normal. Goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane ensured victory while Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip brought confidence and comfort into the central defence. The Burnley players lined up sportily after the final whistle to welcome Van Dijk back after his long absence through injury, but in fact they would be happy to see his back until they meet again at Turf Moor.

Ahead of Liverpool’s first home game of the season, there was a moving tribute to the former players, management staff, directors and fans who have died in the 17 months since the fans were last packed inside Anfield. Ray Clemens, Ian St John, and Gerard Houllier were among those remembered and celebrated when Cobb raised a 97 mosaic in memory of Andrew Devine, the 97th person unlawfully murdered in Hillsboro who recently died after being cared for by his devoted family for 32 years. Years.

Klopp gave a Premier League start to Elliott, the talented 18-year-old midfielder who spent last season on loan at Blackburn, and managed to give Jordan Henderson his first Liverpool start since suffering a thigh injury in February. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho were absent due to personal reasons, as the latter’s father passed away within a week.

Liverpool players celebrate Diogo Jota’s opening goal. Photo: Alex Dodd/Camera Sport/Getty Images

Elliott was hailed into the Premier League stage due to a blunder from Josh Brownhill. Soon another late blow arrived from the immaculate Dwight McNeill, whose inventiveness and energy on the left were a constant threat to Burnley. McNeil got an early shot off the goal line from Trent Alexander-Arnold – although Chris Wood was offside in preparation – and nearly created the New Zealand striker’s first goal with a superb cross pass to the near post. Alisson cleared Wood’s clean header, Naby Keita cleared out the second attempt and, within seconds, Liverpool cleared good margins at the highest level by running forward.

After three disappointing seasons at Anfield, Keita has to perform this season. This show – sharp, creative and hardworking – showed that he knows it, too. Having strangled Burnley at one end, he found midfielder Konstantinos Tsimikas in space at the other end. Andy Robertson’s substitute left-back crossed an accurate cross into the center of the visitors’ penalty area and Diogo Jota, who raced in front of Ben May, headed home a lightning pass behind Nick Pope.

Liverpool, urged by Klopp to press a higher level on the field, were on the verge of doubling their lead when rebounding from a Burnley free kick. Keita and Elliot gather to find Mohamed Salah, who stretched the Pope from the edge of the area. Moments later, Salah overpowered Bob, and very easily, after Elliott broke through Burnley’s defense with a perfectly weighted pass to the unmarked Egypt international. The Video Assistant Referee shortened Salah’s celebrations for his 99th Premier League goal. Not even this season’s thick streaks could save him from the offside decision.

Burnley were opened up again when Alexander-Arnold cut a fine pass to Mane, who hit the ground ball at full length, but continued to cause problems of his own. Wood wasn’t able to create Ashley Barnes when McNeill fired him in the area. The guests were clearly under instruction to hit the Liverpool central defender with crosses for the first time, and for the most part, Alisson handled the high balls comfortably. In the first half of injury time, Matt Lawton’s long free kick was hit by James Tarkowski and was relieved to see the defender’s towering header sail away from his net. Barnes swept Lowton’s low cross into the roof of Alisson’s net early in the second half before his joy in front of Cobb was pared down by a clear offside call.

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The quality of Liverpool’s attacking play improved dramatically after the first half and Burnley’s hopes gradually faded. Van Dijk hit a long shot from a corner kick, McNeil blocked Salah’s shot in the net after Elliott hit another excellent shot and Bob did not know much about the effort of Mane who deflected a corner kick from his chest. The threat of a second was escalating and somehow arrived when Van Dyck splashed a ball to Elliot as he embraced the right wing. He found teenager Alexander Arnold, who first passed behind Burnley’s defense to defeat Money Pop with a convincing finish.

Barnes should have rewarded Burnley’s bid with a consolation goal, but playing substitute Jay Rodriguez clean, he was turned down by advancing Alisson as Liverpool polished their clean sheet win.

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