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Attendance: 53,145
Liverpool logo
Premier League
Mar 12, 2017 at 4pm UK
 
Burnley logo

2-1

Wijnaldum (45'), Can (61')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Barnes (7')

Live Commentary: Liverpool 2-1 Burnley - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Burnley in the Premier League.
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Liverpool have strengthened their bid for a top-four place in the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over Burnley.

The Clarets went into the lead after just seven minutes through Ashley Barnes, but Georginio Wijnaldum equalised just before the half-time whistle.

Jurgen Klopp's side continued to struggle during the second half but Emre Can's 25-yard strike proved enough for the Merseyside giants to claim all three points.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at Anfield.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Liverpool and Burnley.

This weekend has mainly been about the FA Cup but there have also been Premier League fixtures taking place and this afternoon's clash at Anfield is one that Liverpool arguably have to take advantage of if they want to remain on top on the battle for fourth place. Of course, there is more than two months left in the season but a home game against a team who are yet to win away this season is one that the Merseyside giants surely have to prevail form.

As for Burnley, they are only a few points away from effectively sealing their top-flight status for another 12 months but the fact that they haven't won on the road is something which will annoy Sean Dyche. The Clarets have been phenomenal at Turf Moor but to take the next step, they need to find a way to claim success on their travels. They are the big underdogs to do so this afternoon but Dyche will see it as a game where they have very little to lose and should they be able to frustrate their hosts during the early stages, then who knows.

LATEST! We are currently covering the FA Cup quarter-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall. Spurs have established a 2-0 advantage but there is still 40 minutes to play at White Hart Lane. Follow the action by clicking here.

Anyway, let's crack on with the team news from the North-West. Roberto Firmino was a fitness doubt for Liverpool but has he made the squad?

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner, Wijnaldum, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Mane, Origi

LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES: Karius, Moreno, Lucas, Wilson, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Woodburn

BURNLEY XI: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward, Barton, Hendrick, Arfield, Boyd, Barnes, Gray

BURNLEY SUBSTITUTES: Robinson, Darikwa, Tarkowski, Agyei, Westwood, Brady, Vokes

The answer to that Firmino question is that he has been ruled out. It's a blow for Liverpool after the Brazilian scored for the Reds against Arsenal last weekend. It means that Divock Origi is given a chance from the start, and that's the only change from last weekend. As well as Firmino, Dejan Lovren has also been ruled out, meaning that there's a rare sighting of Joe Gomez on the bench.

Burnley are able to recall Tom Heaton, who missed the 3-2 defeat to Swansea City last weekend. Robbie Brady and Sam Vokes also drop down to the bench, with Scott Arfield and Ashley Barnes coming into the side. Jon Flanagan also misses out due to being ineligible to face his parent club.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 116th time in which these two sides have faced each other in a competitive fixture, with Liverpool claiming 51 victories in comparison to the 37 wins for Burnley. I know what you are thinking - we didn't realise it had been such a popular fixture either! There have been just the six matches since the new Millennium though, with Liverpool claiming four triumphs and Burnley winning twice at Turf Moor. Burnley haven't won at Anfield since 1974!

LATEST! Spurs are home and hosed against Millwall. They now lead 4-0. If you want to see if they can add to their tally before the full-time whistle, click here. They are looking pretty ruthless.

The most recent fixture between the two sides took place on the second weekend of the season and it saw Burnley record their first victory of the campaign. Two first-half goals earned them a 2-0 success and it set the tone for the rest of their games in the North-West. The match had initially been scheduled to take place at Anfield but the Premier League granted Liverpool permission to switch the game due to the near completion of their new stand.

There's been another goal in the game at White Hart Lane and after 10 starts and 20 substitute appearances, Vincent Janssen has his first goal from open play for Spurs! What a moment for him. It could be a big moment for Spurs too, given that Harry Kane faces weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury.

Talking of forwards who are in need of a goal, Origi has only scored once in his last 15 appearances for Liverpool. Many of those outings would have come from the bench but he is still short of confidence in the final third. Earlier in the season, he scored in five consecutive matches so the ability is there. He just needs to get back on the scoresheet and a few may follow.

Andre Gray is the man to watch in the Burnley starting lineup. He has got nine goals in all competitions this season, including a double last week which was a rarity on the road. He usually saves his goals for Turf Moor but his manager will be encouraged that he was able to score twice, even if they came in a defeat.

PREDICTION! This game is all about the opening 30 minutes. If Burnley can avoid conceding an early goal, they have a chance but should Liverpool score, we feel it may be a long 90 minutes for the visitors. We are going for a 3-0 win for the home side.

Here comes the two sides to a warm reception from both sets of fans. The full-time whistle has just gone at White Hart Lane, where Spurs ran out 6-0 winners to move into the FA Cup semi-finals. You can catch the on-the-whistle report by clicking here.

Burnley get us underway.

Liverpool are already on the front foot and you can sense that their supporters are expecting a few goals this afternoon. We are still to see a shot from the Merseyside giants but they are having plenty of possession inside the Burnley half.

SHOT! Surprisingly, the first effort of the contest comes from Burnley, with Boyd sending a half-volley over the crossbar from around 20 yards. Good effort.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Burnley (Barnes)

Wow! Burnley take the lead at Anfield and it's a beautiful goal. Lowton produces an outstanding low pass from the right-back position, just inside the Liverpool half, and the ball evades everyone and Barnes connects at the back post from around 10 yards. It's his fifth Premier League goal of the season.

Liverpool started well but they are very much second best now. Gray is causing the Liverpool defence all kind of problems. Boyd looks lively, too. You can already feel the frustration coming from the home fans.

Better from Liverpool as Mane gets down the right flank before supplying an inviting cross for Origi. The ball is too far ahead of the Belgian for him to make contact but the home fans will at least be encouraged.

Liverpool look nervy but Burnley have got this spot on so far. They aren't interested in sitting back on their one-goal lead. They want a second and you wouldn't back against them getting it.

Liverpool win a couple of corners after Mane fails to make the most of a chance down the right, but they are unable to create anything. It's all too easy for the visitors so far and they are now back in possession.

A bit more pressure is coming from Liverpool but they still can't create anything. We are 25 minutes through this game and they are yet to have a shot. Burnley are ready to break on the counter but the home side are doing enough to prevent the ball reaching Gray.

Klopp was quizzed about his so-called Plan 'B' in his pre-match press conference and so far, it appears that they don't have one. Burnley are only growing in confidence the more Liverpool opt to keep possession in the middle third of the pitch.

Liverpool seem insistent on whipping crosses into the penalty area for Origi but they are yet to find their target. We've not seen anything from Coutinho. Mane and Milner are the only players who look like doing something for the home side.

It's worth noting that Burnley have previous for performing well at the Premier League's biggest grounds. They have already earned a goalless draw at Old Trafford and only lost out to Arsenal thanks to a last-minute penalty which shouldn't have been awarded. Don't think that they can't achieve an unlikely three points today.

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the math goes to Mee after a late tackle on Lallana. Correct decision from the official.

SHOT! Liverpool have had a shot, albeit not a very good one! The ball is given to Wijnaldum on the edge of the penalty area but he shoots harmlessly over the crossbar.

Burnley have four minutes to reach half time without Heaton having to save a shot. That wouldn't have seemed a realistic achievement before kickoff. Liverpool are still persisting with crosses into Origi but Keane and Mee are doing a job on him so far.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Burnley (Wijnaldum)

HALF TIME: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Talk about timing. Liverpool find an undeserved equaliser through Wijnaldum, who converts from close range after Burnley fail to deal with a cross from Origi. It's so harsh on the visitors.

The two teams have made their way back out at Anfield. No changes for either side...for now.

We are back underway. This is a big 45 minutes for Liverpool.

SHOT! Barnes's confidence is obviously high from his goal but this is ambitious. He received the ball with his back to goal before turning and shooting from 25 yards in the same movement. His shot went wide.

Liverpool have had one flurry forward at the start of this second half with Heaton just beating Origi to the ball but it's Burnley who are carrying the extra threat. They have responded well to Dyche's team-talk.

The home side continue to be tested and Klavan has to clear inside the six-yard box after Gray threatened to find Barnes at the back post. Barnes has also volleyed over the bar from inside the penalty area.

The problem Klopp has this afternoon is that he has very few options on the bench. All of his attacking options possess very little experience and it's going to be interesting to see how he acts if they don't go ahead before the 70-minute mark.

BOOKING! Barton follows Mee into the book for a late challenge on Origi. Not even Barton can complain at that.

SUBSTITUTION! Well I wasn't expecting this. Klopp decides to introduce Ben Woodburn for Coutinho. That's somewhat bold, and fearless, from Klopp.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Burnley (Can)

Where did this come from?! Origi passes to Can around 30 yards out and the German midfielder is able to fire the ball into the bottom corner from distance. It's an excellent goal and one Liverpool desperately needed.

BOOKING! Moments after his goal, Can enters the book for a foul.

Despite the setback, Burnley continue to play the way they have done all match. The problem is that Liverpool have much more belief and trust in their play and they now look more likely to score. Funny what a goal can do, isn't it?!

There's 20 minutes to go at Anfield and I'm surprised that Dyche hasn't turned to Sam Vokes. He usually has an impact when he's on the pitch, especially in situations like this one.

SUBSTITUTION! Burnley make their first change but it's not Vokes, it's Robbie Brady. He replaces Boyd.

This hasn't been the kind of game where there has been shots every few minutes. In fact, it's been a rather poor spectacle. Burnley are going to have to find something different during these closing 13 minutes.

SUBSTITUTIONS! A change for either side, with Lucas Leiva replacing Origi for Liverpool and Sam Vokes coming on for Burnley teammate Sam Vokes. I'm surprised that Dyche hasn't gone with two in attack.

Still no more chances to speak of. Burnley are relying on long balls into Vokes but Matip and Klavan are holding firm. Both centre-backs have performed well today. It's been a problem area for Klopp.

BOOKING! Lallana receives a yellow card, I think for dissent after a clumsy challenge. He's still chuntering away even as his name goes into the book.

CHANCE! Mane should make it three after receiving a neat pass from Can but he takes too much time on the ball and Heaton is able to make the save from a shot which came from 14 yards out.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

CHANCE! Burnley should be level! The ball is headed into the path of Lowton but after letting the ball bounce, he eventually fired over from six yards. They would have probably deserved that equaliser too.

FULL TIME: Liverpool 2-1 Burnley

The full-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool have held on to a vital three points. Burnley were probably good value for the draw but they didn't create enough chances after going into the lead. The win for Liverpool moves them to within a point of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City and five points clear of Arsenal, who sit in fifth place.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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