Lallana Shines as Liverpool hit Burnley for four

Adam Lallana shines as he returned to the Liverpool starting XI with a good performance. The Reds closed the gap at the top of the table to one point. Two of Liverpool’s front three scored a brace in an important 4-2 win at Anfield.

Liverpool 4-2 Burnley

Liverpool extended their unbeaten league run at Anfield to 36 games with a good performance. It was Burnley who took the lead when Ashley Westwood’s sixth-minute corner drifted into the net. Liverpool didn‘t panic. Lallana kept things simple with some good touches and short passes. The Liverpool No.20 took control of the midfield as the hosts probed for an equaliser, the home supporters didn’t have to wait long.

Roberto Firmino scored the first of two goals on 19 minutes when Mohamed Salah‘s cross found his teammate at the back post. Sadio Mane doubled Liverpool’s lead 10 minutes later with a well-taken goal. Mane‘s curling shot gave Tom Heaton no chance in the Burnley goal.

Salah played through another 90 minutes without a goal but his contributions were positive. Salah had an opportunity to score in the second half when he broke through, only for Charlie Taylor to thwart him, the ball came loose, and Firmino was on hand to extend Liverpool’s lead.

The Reds were in control for most the game but Burnley gave them a fright in injury time when Matej Vydra‘s cross found Johann Gudmundsson, but the Burnley No.7’s goal was in vain. Liverpool responded deep into injury time when Daniel Sturridge’s through ball played in Mane to score his second goal of the game.

Mane is only the fifth man to have found the net in six consecutive Premier League matches at Anfield, emulating Michael Owen, Salah, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres via (Liverpoolfc.com)

Liverpool had to respond to Manchester City‘s win on Saturday night, they did just that. Jürgen Klopp’s face said it all as he walked around the Anfield pitch with a smile.

Lallana shines

We must credit Klopp for his team selection.  Lallana’s inclusion settled Liverpool’s rhythm, and he looked like he’s played all season in the middle of the park. Liverpool’s second goal came from Lallana’s persistence to close down Phil Bardsley.

Lallana received a standing ovation from the Liverpool supporters when he was replaced by Naby Keita on 77 minutes. Klopp’s tactics might be a sign of things to come on Wednesday night when Liverpool travel to Bavaria for the second leg of their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. Lallana spoke to BT Sport after the game.

"It has been a difficult 18 months to two years for me with injuries, but hopefully that’s behind me now. I just want to keep working hard and contribute to what will be an exciting end to the season. It helps when you can be fit consistently, I’ve not had that over the last couple of years. It was a good game and I enjoyed being out there (via Liverpoolfc.com)."

Klopp can prepare for the trip to Munich knowing that several of his players put in a good performance this afternoon. Firmino, Mane and Lallana could have a big impact on the game. Liverpool’s next league fixture is at Fulham. The Reds close out March with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

Check back later on the Top Flight for our scouting report on Liverpool’s next opponents, Bayern Munich.