It took Diogo Jota just six minutes to offer a reminder of what Liverpool have missed in the last month. Jurgen Klopp has tried different combinations during the eight games Jota was out with a hamstring injury, then his forward returned at Turf Moor to continue a remarkable goalscoring record this season.
Klopp described the two goalscorers as the “perfect” players to find the net and send Liverpool to the top of the Premier League. Darwin Núñez opened the scoring after drawing a blank for 12 games, then Jota came off the bench ahead of schedule in his recovery and wrapped up a deserved but not always straightforward win.
“Diogo is an incredibly important player for us, having him changes the whole dynamic, that is true. The goal he scored was a goal of a boy full of conviction, good technique obviously. But in the last weeks there has been no chance to create any doubts about him because he has been in rehab. The goal for Darwin was as important.”
Klopp made the point that Jota has been guilty of missing chances himself and that reputations are only enhanced when players are sidelined. Yet Jota’s numbers are excellent this season. He is getting on the scoresheet every 104 minutes with a shot conversion rate of 26.5 per cent.
The bigger picture for Klopp is that while he was not Christmas No 1 in the Premier League, his team are hitting the right notes in the title race. He will settle for being top on Boxing Day. After the thrilling draw against rivals Arsenal at the weekend, Turf Moor was a different proposition although no less important for Klopp’s team.
“We are in a better position than anyone expected us to be,” said Klopp, assessing his team with half of the campaign completed.
“Whatever the outside world thinks, it is really intense. We played exceptionally well and it was exceptional that we didn’t score more goals. We actually did, but they took it away. We caused so many problems. In the end we deserved it and it was two perfect goalscorers. We really sneaked Diogo in the squad list as we wanted to give him extra training. We could have that in Burnley.”
Darwin’s early strike came from a move that saw Liverpool go from a goalkick to scoring in the space of 24 seconds with the ball barely leaving the grass. It was a stunning team goal, which started with Alisson Becker’s short restart.
As Burnley pressed, Liverpool played through them. From Jarell Quansah to Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Ryan Gravenberch switching play to the right flank. Here Cody Gakpo made the running, helped by Darwin riding a heavy challenge from Dara O’Shea but getting up immediately. He sprinted to the edge of the area where he struck the return ball first-time, his finish dissecting a crowded Burnley penalty area that had eight defenders trying to block.
“He is an incredible finisher but a striker who doesn’t score, you question everything,” said Klopp. “We tried him on the wing and played well, but of course he needs that moment. The difference is an inch whether the ball hits the post or goes in the far corner.”
They would have added more goals but for James Trafford’s saves for Burnley. He denied Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo with his best efforts. Elliott also had a goal chalked off as Salah was interfering with play while offside, although he was pushed into that position by an opponent. Gakpo also had one chalked out for a foul.
“They will tell us again that it’s an offside situation or whatever,” Klopp said on Elliott’s ruled out strike. “It’s insane – honestly. This man, if he never played football then it can happen. You think ‘offside rule, let me see, page seven, there’s somebody between him and the goalie’ – that’s ridiculous.
“We all need referees but we need them with the right interpretation of the rules. How can you make this situation not a goal? That’s a clear goal.”
Burnley had chances to equalise before the win was wrapped up late on. Jota’s goal in the 90th minute came after Endo won the ball in midfield and took a hit to the ankle. Jota and Luis Diaz exchanged passes and the finish was from a tight angle through Trafford’s legs. “Liverpool, Liverpool top of the league,” sang their fans in the Cricket Field Stand.
“I told them before the game it was two days off if they win. I saw my two days slipping through my fingers,” said Klopp.
