Diogo Jota was on the scoresheet again as Liverpool saw out Burnley with a comprehensive 2-0 victory at a jam-packed Anfield.
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Burnley had enjoyed some recent success at Anfield but Liverpool was not in a mood for an upset again. Liverpool ran out victorious with a comprehensive 2-0 margin at Anfield in this early Saturday kick-off. As it stands Liverpool move top of the table with this win. Diogo Jota was on the scoresheet again, after getting a goal on the opening weekend versus Norwich. Jota broke the deadlock in the 18th minute after a pin-point cross by Konstantinos Tsimikas. Later, Sadio Mane got his season underway by doubling Liverpool’s lead in the 69th minute. Burnley had good chances to score but Liverpool’s defence stood tall to keep them out.
Liverpool make it two from two at the start of the season ✅
A goal in each half from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane ? pic.twitter.com/aPMZLyBNcJ
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 21, 2021
On Saturday, Jurgen Klopp made two changes to the Liverpool starting XI that faced Norwich last time out. James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dropped out with Jordan Henderson returning. Harvey Elliott was awarded his first Premier League start. Andy Robertson started on the bench despite still recovering from an ankle injury.
Sean Dyche also made two changes to his Burnley side. Jay Rodriguez was replaced by Ashley Barnes up top and Josh Brownhill came in for Ashley Westwood who suffered a foot injury. Burnley had a dream start in their opening fixture against Brighton. But, two second half goals in the space of five minutes saw Brighton into the lead and the game finished 2-1 to the Seagulls.
Anfield was packed with supporters for the first time since Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid in March of 2020. Diogo Jota had put Liverpool in the lead. Naby Keita glided the ball down the left wing, before leaving it for Tsimikas. The left-back swung a cross into the middle of the box and Jota timed his run well cutting in between Burnley’s centre backs James Tarkowski and Ben Mee to get to the ball. His glancing header flew past Pope at the near post to find the back of the net.
Anfield erupts! ?
Diogo Jota with a perfectly placed header after Konstantinos Tsimikas picks him out from the wing ? pic.twitter.com/JgsPC8spkh
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 21, 2021
The first half was entertaining with both teams having good chances to score. Liverpool had more than a few chances including a disallowed goal in the 28th minute. Liverpool went into half-time with a one-goal lead but Burnley showed enough to feel confident that they can score. Chris Wood drew a good save from Alisson and Dwight McNeil hit the post.
The second half got underway, and it was all Liverpool from the restart. Virgil Van Dijk proved just how important he is to this Liverpool team with a beautiful ball up to Elliot on the right wing. The youngster got the ball under control and layed it off to Alexander-Arnold. He flicked a first-time ball into the box for Mane who belted it on the turn and fired the ball past Pope to double Liverpool’s lead.
Liverpool saw out the game with ease to move to the top of the Premier League table. It was a good performance from the Reds. They managed 27 shots at goal and kept Burnley quiet. Harvey Elliott had impressed, Trent Alexander-Arnold was in top form and Jordan Henderson had a good return to Anfield.
