After Arsenal topped the Premier League on Christmas Day for the second consecutive year, Liverpool had the opportunity to overtake them on Boxing Day

Jurgen Klopp’s side did not have it easy (Image: PA)

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League by grinding out a hard fought 2-0 victory over Burnley.

Jurgen Klopp’s side immediately got control of the game when Darwin Nunez slotted home a fine goal from 25-yards to end his eight-game goalless drought in the Premier League. Liverpool had ample opportunities to end the contest before half-time, with the best chance falling to Mohamed Salah, who hit the crossbar when played through on goal – seven first half saves from Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford also kept the Clarets in the contest.

In the second half, a Burnley flurry proceeded a controversial VAR intervention, which saw a Liverpool goal from Harvey Elliott be ruled out for offside, as Salah was adjudged to have stood in the way of Trafford. After the Clarets missed two good chances through Johann Berg Gudmondsson and Jacob Bruun Larsen, substitute Diogo Jota sealed the win in added time. After the Reds squeezed their way past the relegation battlers, Daily Star Sport considers what Klopp got right against Vincent Kompany’s side.

An unprecedented frontline

Nunez and Salah both impressed in the frontline (Image: PA)

Klopp was surprisingly prickly when Amazon Prime host Dan Walker, asked why he deployed Salah, Nunez and Cody Gakpo in a front three together for the first time. He replied: “We are second in the table. We are in a better position than probably everybody expected us to be and then we start discussing the front three and they are not firing on all cylinders. There are more serious problems out there. In general it’s like that.”

As well as finding offence in Walker’s question, he may have found Liverpool’s new first-choice frontline. While Salah just did the usual Salah things Liverpool fans relish, Nunez looked to relish his place on the left-hand side. It was from this area he was able to drift inside and immaculately slot home the opening goal from 25-yards out.

Gakpo was also given some freedom to drop between the lines and receive the ball, while also creating space for Salah to exploit. Instead of fretting about Walker’s line of questioning, maybe Klopp should wonder why he had not deployed the three together earlier?

The old Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold played more like a full back than a midfielder (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

All the talk around Liverpool has been the ‘hybrid’ full-back and central midfield position Trent Alexander-Arnold has been deployed in. However, he appeared to be playing as a more orthodox full-back for the Merseysiders, holding his width on the right-hand side and overlapping Salah on numerous occasions.

This may have taken Kompany and the Burnley defenders by surprise, as they would have likely expected him to be more central. Considering Liverpool’s injuries in the defensive department, necessity may have been behind this deployment.

Nevertheless, it further demonstrated how many strings the England international has to his bow.

Youthful persistence

Quansah seems to be getting better and better (Image: PA)

Jarell Amorin Quansah’s start in the back four is testament to the youngster’s impressive performances since he was integrated into the squad. The 20-year-old has barely put a foot wrong since Klopp first brought him on from the bench in the 2-1 away victory over Newcastle United in August.

Klopp deployed the youngster ahead of French international Ibrahima Konate, who has appeared in the last five matches. While results have been hard to come by for Burnley, the Clarets’ frontline are dangerous, particularly on the break.

Despite a brief Burnley flurry between the 55th and 65th minute, Quansah looked untroubled throughout the entire contest. With every passing performance, he is looking more like a long-term option for the Liverpool backline.

Decisive action

Jones and Szoboszlai were introduced in the second half (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

After Elliott’s goal was controversially disallowed, Burnley found a completely different gear to the one they were drifting in the first-half. In the 67th minute, they had a golden opportunity to equalise when Wilson Odobert breezed past Alexander-Arnold and whipped a cross onto the head of Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson, but the Icelandic international headed over the top of the crossbar.

Moments before that chance, Klopp ruthlessly introduced Luis Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones in place of Ryan Gravenburch, Cody Gakpo and Elliott. Their introduction helped the Reds retain the possession of the ball, while also adding extra intensity and thrust into their press. Jota’s second half introduction also resulted in him smashing home the all-important second goal.

It’s the kind of experienced, proactive management Klopp has been known for the last decade. With the games continuing to come, Klopp’s clever management of his squad will be essential to their title charge.