Liverpool recovered from a lacklustre first half to select up one other very important three factors in entrance of a league-record Anfield crowd, with Darwin Nunez amongst these to seize the headlines.
Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect had been in search of a response after a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Arsenal six days earlier, however the early indicators weren’t notably promising.
All three forwards had been heading in the right direction within the 3-1 win, with Luis Diaz and Nunez following Diogo Jota‘s opener shortly after the half-hour mark.
Right here’s a have a look at how the media reacted to the victory.
Three factors whereas removed from their greatest…
The Guardian‘s Andy Hunter described the Reds’ efficiency as “misleading” whereas including that the forwards “punished” the slip-ups from the guests:
“The house aspect had been in management by the latter phases however the late dominance was misleading. Vincent Kompany’s relegation-threatened staff had made Liverpool struggle their manner again to the summit.
“Liverpool punished the guests’ profligacy to safe victory by the tireless Nunez.”
David Lynch admitted on Twitter that it was removed from a “classic” efficiency from Liverpool, however insisted that latest damage issues must be factored into any post-match assessments:
“Not a classic efficiency, however we will’t ignore that Liverpool added Joe Gomez, Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai to an already prolonged checklist of absentees this week.
All that mattered at this time was getting again to profitable methods and so they did that.”
Not a classic efficiency, however we will not ignore that Liverpool added Joe Gomez, Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai to an already prolonged checklist of absentees this week. All that mattered at this time was getting again to profitable methods and so they did that.
— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) February 10, 2024
Carl Markham wrote within the Impartial that the victory was “less-than-convincing” however did additionally concede that absences harmed Liverpool in opposition to the Clarets:
“And whereas the three factors re-established their two-point benefit the less-than-convincing nature of victory in opposition to the league’s next-bottom aspect was not fairly befitting the event of Liverpool’s largest league crowd of 60,725 after the complete opening of the Anfield Street stand.
“They do have Mohamed Salah and Dominic Szoboszlai to return from damage within the subsequent couple of weeks however having negotiated January with out the pair it was crucial they regained their momentum after their Emirates setback.”
BBC Sport‘s Gary Rose was barely vital of Liverpool’s efficiency, suggesting that the scoreline didn’t essentially inform the complete story:
“This was not an easy win for Liverpool, who had been as soon as once more removed from their greatest following the setback in opposition to Arsenal.
“There was aid on the closing whistle after Burnley, who’ve received simply three league video games all season, squandered some effective alternatives to attain, whereas Kelleher got here to the rescue to maintain out Fofana after half-time.
“It was solely after Nunez’s header within the 79th minute that the Reds, who misplaced Trent Alexander-Arnold to a knee downside, had been in a position to chill out after quite a few scares.”
Some shining lights as title race heats up…
The Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe joked that Klopp and Pep Guardiola may want for “restraining orders” given how usually they lock horns seeking the title:
“The place one goes, the opposite follows, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola most likely wishing they may file restraining orders in opposition to the opposite.
“Liverpool returned to the summit after seeing off a spirited Burnley staff who had their possibilities to puncture Klopp’s title aspirations.”
The Each day Mail‘s Joe Bernstein acknowledged the emotion proven by the supervisor throughout what was one other essential check within the race for the league.
“Klopp was in demonic kind. He turned away from the pitch and howled on the Liverpool followers to get behind their staff.
“He then stumbled and stopped himself from falling along with his palms earlier than persevering with “discussions” with the fourth official.”
The Mirror‘s Dan Marsh singled out Nunez as having been rewarded for his persistency after a sequence of close to misses in latest video games.
“In some way, someway, Nunez failed to seek out the again of the web in Liverpool’s latest 4-1 win over Chelsea.
“Not solely did he miss a penalty in opposition to the Blues, he was denied by the woodwork on at least 4 separate events. However the grasp of chaos lastly bought his rewards in entrance of aim on Saturday after one other all-action show.
“Nunez – like Liverpool’s first goalscorer, Jota – was a continuing thorn in Burnley‘s aspect all afternoon however seemed set to clean for the third match in a row earlier than he struck late on – and he was good worth for it, too.”
Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo rightly selected to hail Harvey Elliott‘s show, after placing on an distinctive efficiency rather than Trent Alexander-Arnold, who got here off with a knee concern at half-time.
“[Elliott] made an on the spot impression along with his vitality and care in possession, and put in inviting crosses for the second and third targets. Helped modified the sport.”
These sentiments had been echoed by This Is Anfield‘s Joanna Durkan, who stated Elliott present the “precise impression” required after the lacklustre opening 45 minutes:
“[Elliott] has persistently been a productive sub and right here he assist arrange targets for each Diaz and Nunez. The precise impression you need from the bench and that may give him a well timed confidence increase.
“In terms of Man of the Match, you’ll be able to’t actually look previous him. He modified the sport on the precise proper time.”
