Liverpool maintained their Premier League title challenge with a hard-earned win against relegation-threatened Burnley on Tuesday evening.
Darwin Nunez scored his first goal in 13 games before substitute Diogo Jota netted late on as the Reds secured a 2-0 triumph. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men have now lost only one of their last 30 top-flight matches and have moved two points clear at the top, albeit having played a game more than Arsenal.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Turf Moor.
Darwin Nunez was loving life in Lancashire. After a significant weight was lifted off his shoulders by ending his goal drought, the Uruguayan delivered an encouraging display leading the attack.
And he was still in very high spirits after the final whistle as he joined his team-mates in going over to the away end to celebrate.
Indeed, Nunez was so involved he started jumping around to a rendition of the Diogo Jota song, much to the delight – and amusement – of the travelling Kop.
Tierney message
Mind you, the Liverpool supporters had been in good voice for the Portuguese long before he netted on his return to first-team action. The mere sight of Jota warming up in the first half was enough for the away fans to burst into the trademark tune afforded the forward.
The Reds following, though, were somewhat less welcoming to referee Paul Tierney, whose decision-making at times prompted a sense of baffled bewilderment.
And it certainly sparked what has become a traditional message from Liverpool supporters imploring the official hastily make his leave. But with a bit more swearing.
Alisson agitated
Burnley failed to manage a shot on target as Liverpool, with better officiating and finishing, should have made sure of the win long before Jota’s 90th-minute strike.
But that didn’t stop Alisson Becker becoming a little agitated at his clean sheet being threatened as the home side pressed for a consolation in additional time of injury time.
After the final Burnley attack fizzled out, the goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and began to fire an angry message to whoever was listening nearby that was halted by the sounding of the final whistle. At which point Alisson instead opted to release his tension by booting the ball straight up in the air. Steady on, Ali.
There was an amusing moment at half-time when Burnley announced a new game in which a select group of supporters were invited to try to win a prize by dropping a coin into a slot and seeing where it landed.
Prizes ranged from a signed home shirt, a Burnley water bottle to, er, absolutely nothing at all, a fate which befell one unfortunate soul.
Nothing, though, was funnier than when one of the youngest contestants was asked by the exuberant stadium announcer whether she was excited at the prospect of taking part in front of more than 21,000 people. “No,” came the reply. “I’m terrified!”
