Liverpool vs Burnley LIVE - Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino spare Reds' blushes after Ashley Westwood goal
Re-live the latest updates live from the Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley as the title challengers fought back from going an early goal down to see off the relegation-threatened Clarets.
Liverpool were the heavy favourites for the match but it was Burnley who made the fastest start - in bizarre circumstances. Ashley Westwood's corner evaded everyone in the Liverpool penalty area and flew into the back of the net, although James Tarkowski's role in blocking goalkeeper Alisson Becker certainly helped clear its path.
But Liverpool came up with a strong response as two goals in quick succession from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Made put the home side in front before the break. With sleet falling from the skies, the game became a scrappy affair in the second half, but a late flurry of goals saw Firmino add his second Johann Berg Gudmundsson pull one back for Burnley - only for Mane to score again and put the result beyond doubt. Re-live the live action below.
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's opening Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Burnley, brought to you from Anfield.
Michael Owen has been speaking in the BT Sport studio in the last few minutes and sees no reason why the pressure should be any higher on Liverpool than on leaders Manchester City as we enter the business end of the season.
However, the story on the pitch tells a very different story recently, with the Reds having dropped nine points from their last eight league games.
They are by no means out of the title race though, but with City having extended the lead to four points by beating Watford yesterday, they will need to return to winning ways here.
Of course, this is a critical game as well for Burnley, who are just two points above the relegation zone.
The Clarets still have three of the top six to play after today so will need to make sure they keep themselves above Cardiff City, who got a crucial victory over West Ham yesterday.
Of course, Mohamed Salah is still waiting to score his 50th league goal for the club, but if he manages the feat today he will equal Alan Shearer's record of achieving it for a single club in 66 matches.
The Egyptian missed a couple of chances against Everton last weekend but he is more than capable of turning it on here today.
Jurgen Klopp has also given his reasons for starting Adam Lallana today against Burnley:
“If you have five sessions a week, everybody can show up and Adam was exceptional during the week. So, in a situation where you think a little bit how you can adjust one or two things, it’s smart.
“He trained well for a while already but this week was especially well – that’s the reason why he starts.”
If you were, for some reason, in any doubt as to how big this game was for Liverpool historically as well as seminally, then here is the statistical proof.
Virgil van Dijk is the Liverpool captain today in the absence of Jordan Henderson, and he looks solid as ever as he mops up a long ball over the top from the visitors.
Liverpool have certainly been shaken by that unusual goal but the crowd are certainly looking to roar them back into the game as sleet starts to fall at Anfield.
