Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Burnley as Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez scored in a 3-1 win to move the Reds back top of the Premier League
Liverpool has moved back to the summit of the Premier League table after beating Burnley at Anfield, though Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City still has a game in hand. After a slow start, the Reds eventually eased through.
Diogo Jota headed into an unguarded goal to open the scoring when the Portugal forward nodded in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner kick. But Dara O’Shea produced a powerful header to beat Caoimhín Kelleher, making it 1-1 at half-time.
Liverpool, while frustrated by some slow restarts (particularly from goalkeeper James Trafford) — with Jürgen Klopp picking up a booking for his complaints to fourth official Thomas Bramall — hadn’t got going in an attacking sense. Even with Darwin Núñez back in the side to provide a focal point, the host could not find a way to sustain pressure.
It only took a few minutes for Liverpool to look more like itself in the second half. After a Harvey Elliott cross to the near post, Luis Díaz headed in from close range. Elliott was onside and Liverpool went ahead.
It was the same player who assisted the third goal, this time setting up Núñez with around 10 minutes of normal time to play. The Uruguayan was not as involved in the game as he sometimes is, but got his goal with a well-taken header.
WINNERS
Jota was good and Díaz got his goal. Harvey Elliott was a big winner, though. He came on at half-time and notched two match-winning assists, looking neat and tidy in the middle in the process.
LOSERS
In for the absent Alisson Becker (presumably through illness), Kelleher stood in well. He couldn’t do anything with the O’Shea goal and showed some decent enough moments with his feet. He made a big save from David Datro Fofana.
Trent Alexander-Arnold — 6
In what was likely a pre-planned substitution at half-time given he is still working his way back to full sharpness, he came off at the interval with Curtis Jones moving across to full-back. Some good passes, as ever, but little more.
Jarell Quansah — 6
With Ibrahima Konaté suspended and Joe Gomez out, Liverpool looked a little light of numbers at the back. But Quansah stepped in. He was booked for diving into a tackle but generally made the right decisions and showed some good composure in possession. There were a couple of shaky moments but nothing major.
Virgil van Dijk — 7
Dealt well with the aerial threat in the main and didn’t have his busiest game. Solid enough if not spectacular. His range of passing is always a big help to get Liverpool out of tight spots.
Andy Robertson — 7
On his first start since the 2-2 draw at Brighton just over four months ago, Robertson looked much better than he has in substitute appearances since he returned to action. The Reds’ left-back was able to ease his way into the match. Like Van Dijk, more functional than scintillating.
Wataru Endō — 7
Picked up a booking for a blatant foul. but generally looked tidy on his first appearance back after international duty with Japan. Having been cautioned, did well to avoid getting into any tricky situations.
Alexis Mac Allister — 5
Playing a more advanced role than he often has thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s injury, the Argentine struggled to get into the fixture. He looked to be crowded out in the middle and couldn’t find many spaces.
Curtis Jones — 7
Always looks tidy in possession and looked comfortable enough at right-back when he moved there. The security that he provides for the Liverpool team in possession is vital.
Diogo Jota — 7
As he so often does, Jota A) scored a header and B) opened the scoring. That is just what he does at this point. He was there ready to score when Díaz poked in just after half-time as well.
Darwin Núñez — 7
Not as involved as he sometimes is but still managed to offside a couple of times and score a goal. Booked for kicking the ball away after clipping his man on a counter-attacking chance.
Luis Díaz — 7
Got into some good areas without making the most of them, but did score. The Colombian made his mark on the game and popped up all across the forward line.
SUBSTITUTES
Harvey Elliott — 8
Two assists off the bench for Liverpool to send a statement about why he should have started the game. Perhaps has played himself into the team for Brentford next Saturday.
Bobby Clark, Kostas Tsimikas and James McConnell also came off the bench with a couple of minutes to go. They, though, were too late to be given a rating.
