Liverpool returned to the top of the table as they got back to winning ways against struggling Burnley in front of a club-record league crowd at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were looking to respond after last weekend’s defeat by Arsenal and took the lead through Diogo Jota’s header from a corner, which Burnley keeper James Trafford failed to claim.
The Clarets, who have been in the relegation zone for most of the season, levelled before half-time through a superb Dara O’Shea header before Luis Diaz restored the lead in the 52nd minute.
Burnley had several chances to equalise before Darwin Nunez’s header from Harvey Elliott’s cross sealed the points.
On a tetchy afternoon, both Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany were booked by referee Tim Robinson for protesting after decisions went against their teams.
Liverpool were without first-choice keeper Alisson because of illness, but stand-in Caoimhin Kelleher made a fine save to deny David Datro Fofana an equaliser when the score was 2-1.
Liverpool, watched by a new club record attendance of 59,896, had briefly been replaced by Manchester City at the top of the table following their 2-0 win over Everton in the early kick-off.
But the Reds are two points clear—albeit having played one game more than their nearest rivals—while Burnley remain 19th.
Relief for Reds
This was not a straightforward win for Liverpool, who were once again far from their best following the setback against Arsenal.
There was relief at the final whistle after Burnley, who have won just three league games all season, squandered some fine opportunities to score, while Kelleher came to the rescue to keep out Fofana after half-time.
It was only after Nunez’s header in the 79th minute that the Reds were able to relax after surviving numerous scares.
Liverpool, who were also without Joe Gomez through illness, have been good at grinding out results without playing particularly well this season and their latest performance certainly fell into that category.
But it is results that count at this stage of the season and the Reds are back on top of the table after briefly being replaced by Manchester City.
Liverpool still have Mohamad Salah to return from a hamstring injury but they have coped in the absence of their leading scorer.
This was their sixth win in eight games in all competitions since Salah last played for the club, while they have scored 21 times in that period.