Liverpool vs. Burnley: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League Game
Liverpool's fine run of form in the Premier League continued Wednesday night with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Burnley. Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge scored the goals as the Reds notched their fourth consecutive league win and extended their unbeaten run to a dozen matches.
This latest victory takes Brendan Rodgers' side back into fifth place on 51 points, two behind Manchester United in the race for fourth place and the Premier League's final UEFA Champions League spot.
Rodgers and his men still have work to do if they are to reel in United—and perhaps Arsenal in third place—but recent results suggest the Reds are a good bet to finish in the top four. After starting the season in indifferent form, Liverpool are now the hottest side in the top flight.
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The Reds are currently on an impressive run, having avoided defeat since a 3-0 reverse at Manchester United on December 14. Liverpool are the only Premier League side to remain unbeaten since the calendar changed to 2015.
Wednesday's performance reflected that form rather well, with Liverpool starting brightly and creating enough chances to be out of sight by half-time. But after Henderson opened the scoring in the 29th minute, the Reds had to wait until Sturridge's strike six minutes into the second half to relax.
Up next, Liverpool host Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. The Reds return to the Premier League on March 16 with a match at Swansea City.
Burnley, who entered Wednesday's match in 19th place, host Manchester City on March 14.
Brimming with confidence at kick-off, Liverpool nearly got off to a perfect start with a brilliant move in the first minute. Raheem Sterling threaded the ball to Sturridge in the box before Sturridge traded passes with Adam Lallana in close quarters. Moving from right to left in front of goal, Sturridge shot low across his body, only for Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton to make a fine save to keep the match level.
Burnley slowly gained in confidence and began to threaten in Liverpool's half. The visitors were unable to create clear chances, however, with Ben Mee missing the target with an 18th-minute header and Scott Arfield blasting a shot well over the target one minute later.
Liverpool came close again in the 24th minute when Sterling pulled back for Henderson, whose first-time shot drew a save from Heaton.
The hosts were steadily building pressure, and in the 29th minute, the opening goal arrived. Philippe Coutinho carved out the opening, cutting into the middle along the edge of the box before unleashing a shot. The ball was blocked, but only as far as Henderson, who rifled a half-volley past Heaton for a 1-0 Liverpool advantage.
Coutinho came close to doubling the lead two minutes later, but his long-range curler flew wide of the post. The Reds came close again in the 42nd minute as Coutinho played Sturridge through only for Heaton to save Sturridge's shot one-on-one.
Still leading by a single goal at the break, Liverpool added a second in the 51st minute. The setup appeared simple but was full of quality throughout. Holding possession well outside the box, slightly right of centre, Henderson lofted an inch-perfect cross to the back post for Sturridge, who headed in expertly past Heaton for 2-0.
With that, Burnley's resistance began to wane visibly. Another chance followed in the 61st minute as Liverpool swept down the pitch, but Alberto Moreno slipped as he tried to turn in a Sterling cross at the back post, sending his first-time shot well over the bar.
Three minutes later, Sturridge tried his luck from long range, sending a curled effort over the bar.
Liverpool were firmly in control, and over the final 20 minutes, the hosts were content to hold possession without over-extending themselves in attack. Sterling drew a save from Heaton in the 77th minute, and Emre Can saw another effort stopped two minutes later.
In the final minute of stoppage time, Burnley's Ross Wallace missed the target with a free-kick as the match drew to a quiet conclusion.
Grades
| Simon Mignolet | 7.2 |
| Emre Can | 8.4 |
| Marti Skrtel | 8.0 |
| Dejan Lovren | 7.3 |
| Raheem Sterling | 7.6 |
| Jordan Henderson | 8.3 |
| Joe Allen | 7.4 |
| Alberto Moreno | 6.4 |
| Adam Lallana | 7.4 |
| Daniel Sturridge | 7.6 |
| Philippe Coutinho | 8.1 |
| Kolo Toure (for Moreno, 73') | 6.0 |
| Glen Johnson (for Sturridge, 83') | 6.0 |
| Rickie Lambert (for Sterling, 90') | No rating |
| Tom Heaton | 7.4 |
| Kieran Trippier | 6.8 |
| Michael Keane | 6.3 |
| Jason Shackell | 7.7 |
| Ben Mee | 6.7 |
| George Boyd | 6.6 |
| David Jones | 6.1 |
| Scott Arfield | 6.4 |
| Michael Kightly | 5.6 |
| Ashley Barnes | 6.3 |
| Danny Ings | 6.5 |
| Ross Wallace (for Kightly, 52') | 6.2 |
| Sam Vokes (for Barnes, 66') | 6.1 |
| Lukas Jutkiewicz (for Ings, 90') | No rating |
Reaction
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson said, via BBC Sport:
"It is another massive three points from us and keeps the momentum going. I thought that Daniel Sturridge's movement and holding up of the the ball was excellent. We are getting back to what we were doing well last season with high-tempo pressing high up the pitch and then playing in between the lines.
"
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, via BBC Sport:
"It was a good performance tonight. These can be difficult games because you're expected to win. Burnley are a tough team to beat, but tonight we were very, very good in our defensive organisation and we looked very exciting going forward.
Daniel Sturridge started tonight and he contributed, he got his goal.
It's all about the levels of our performances—we are focused, we are playing the game at our level and we're entering a stage of the season which we can enjoy. We just have to maintain this momentum.
"
Follow @MiguelCominguez
