Fabinho scored the only goal of the game while Alisson Becker also impressed as Liverpool secured a narrow 1-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League.
Burnley began with great intent and purpose at Turf Moor and tried to regularly exploit Liverpool’s high backline with long balls. Josh Brownhill and Jay Rodriguez drew saves from Alisson early on before Naby Keita missed a chance at the other end. Wout Weghorst then came close for Burnley but could not find the target.
It came to bite Burnley back as Liverpool took the lead in the 39th minute as Fabinho tapped home from close range after Sadio Mane had flicked Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross towards him. Having gone behind, the home team started the second half with the same energy as the first half, with Ben Mee and Weghorst threatening again, but the Clarets could not level things up.
At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool did not create many opportunities, but Pope was alert to a few dangerous crosses into the box by Alexander-Arnold while substitute Diogo Jota failed to find the target late on. Nevertheless, Jurgen Klopp’s men managed to hold on to their narrow lead and take home a hard-earned victory.
The result means the Reds are nine points off leaders Manchester City with a game in hand. Here are our player ratings for the Liverpool stars from the tightly-contested encounter at Turf Moor.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson Becker: 8/10
Another top display from ??? this afternoon ?
Your #BURLIV @carlsberg Player of the Match! pic.twitter.com/JhQ4LYaiFP
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 13, 2022
The Brazilian was key to Liverpool’s victory on Sunday as he came up with some crucial saves in the first half. He also charged out to regularly sweep up Burnley’s long balls and made some fine stops late on, although some of those efforts were flagged offside.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6.5/10
Not the best of games from the England international with misplaced touches and passes in the early parts. Alexander-Arnold did improve as the game went on, producing the corner from which the goal came while also delivering one or two dangerous crosses in the second period.
Joel Matip: 6/10
A sloppy first period saw Matip hit some misplaced passes from the back that invited trouble. He also found it hard to cope with the long balls from Burnley, allowing the hosts to create multiple chances. He grew much more solid in the latter stages to hold on to the clean sheet.
Virgil van Dijk: 6.5/10
Fared better than his defensive partner, but it was a tricky afternoon for the Dutchman as well, as Burnley got behind the Reds’ defence on several occasions.
Andrew Robertson: 6.5/10
He showed good energy down the left side and produced a few good crosses but could not pose the usual amount of attacking threat amid tough playing conditions at Turf Moor.
Jordan Henderson: 5/10
An off-colour display from the Liverpool captain who gave away possession cheaply a fair few times was booked in the first half for a tackle on Erik Pieters. He came off worse in the challenge, picking up an injury that seemingly slowed him down — subbed off in the second half.
Fabinho: 8/10
Fabinho is on fire in 2022 ? pic.twitter.com/tQWINVDDnA
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 13, 2022
Not at his best early on as Burnley enjoyed much joy, but grew into the contest and started imposing himself on the proceedings by challenging and winning crucial second balls. Fabinho emerged as the match-winner for Liverpool, scoring the only goal of the game late in the first period. He has now netted five goals in 2022.
Naby Keita: 6.5/10
He started off positively and looked like a threat each time he got on the ball. Progressive with his passes, Keita also forced Nick Pope into a save early in the game. However, he seemed to drift off a bit in the latter parts.
Mohamed Salah: 6/10
The Egyptian was back into the starting XI for the first time after the AFCON. He looked lively with his movement and got into some decent positions, but Burnley handled him well for large parts, keeping him quiet.
Roberto Firmino: 5/10
A game in which Firmino was largely a peripheral figure. He hardly did anything of note during his time on the pitch, while his passing and movement at times were sluggish as well. He worked hard off the ball but had no impact whatsoever.
How has Firmino lasted on the pitch? He literally cannot complete a pass in the final third
— e (@Ifcelliot) February 13, 2022
Sadio Mane: 6/10
A mixed-bag from Sadio Mane in his first start since early January. The AFCON winner had a great chance but fired his effort right at Pope, but got an important flick on the ball leading to Fabinho’s match-winner.
SUBSTITUTES
Thiago Alcantara: 6.5/10
He replaced Henderson at the hour mark and helped Liverpool gain more control in midfield.
Diogo Jota: 5/10
Largely quiet after replacing Mane in the 67th minute. Jota also missed a late chance to double Liverpool’s lead.
James Milner: N/A
Stoppage-time substitute for Naby Keita.
