Reds Bash Hammers 4-1 At Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 4:1 WHU

Liverpool's front trio were at it again as they thrashed West Ham 4-1 at Anfield on Saturday afternoon to bring the Reds' goal total to 103 in all competitions this season, just behind league leaders Manchester City (111).

Click here for my live ByTheMinute match coverage.

The Hammers were unbeaten in their previous three away games in all competitions against LFC.

However, their only victory in the previous 48 attempts at Anfield came in August 2015 (D14, L33).

And it stayed that way as Liverpool took the visitors to bits, starting with Emre Can heading in a corner with just under half an hour gone.

Man of the match Mohamed Salah and Marko Arnautovic had both hit the woodwork earlier on in a competitive start.

Loris Karius denied the West Ham forward a few minutes before the break as well with a top-draw save, keeping a cracker of a right-footed strike out.

The home side took total control after the interval, Salah doubling their lead after some lovely moves and layoff in the build-up by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Egyptian's low shot on the turn into the right corner of the net was his 20th left-footed goal out of 23, which is a Premier League record.

Roberto Firmino made it three with just under an hour gone, completing one of his cheeky looking-away goals off Can's cross with the Hammers all over the place.

The visitors pulled one back seconds later, sub Michail Antonio sneaking one through Virgil van Dijk's legs seconds after coming on for Manuel Lanzini, fooling and beating Karius to make it 3-1.

But the Reds kept their dominance and composure after those crazy few minutes, which saw three goals in eight minutes to be exact.

With a quarter of an hour to go, Sadio Mané hit the post from close range, but moments later made it four, bouncing the ball in off Andy Robertson's pass.

It's the sixth time this season all three Liverpool forwards have scored in the same match.

Former Everton/United/Sunderland and now West Ham boss David Moyes kept his record of no wins at Anfield after 15 games (D7, L8), leaving his substitutions too little too late.

The Hammers' most top-flight defeats have come against the Merseyside clubs: 61 by Liverpool and 61 against Everton.

Reds boss Jürgen Klopp was understandably a very happy man(ager), the win taking his side past Manchester United and up to second (at least temporarily until the Red Devils beat Chelsea on Sunday).

With this thrashing, the Reds scored four goals in three consecutive games against a single opponent for the first time since facing Norwich between 2012 and 2013.

The next visitors at Anfield are going to be former LFC boss Rafael Benítez's Newcastle on Saturday evening. And then the Reds will travel to Old Trafford the week after - crunch time to decide who will come closest to league leaders City!

Liverpool Goals: Can 29', Salah 51', Firmino 57' & Mané 77'.

West Ham Goal: Antonio 59'.

HT Stats: LFC 1-0 WHU
Possession: 66%-34%
Shots: 8-5
On target: 3-3
Corners: 6-1
Fouls: 4-5
Yellow cards: 0-1

FT Stats: LFC 4-1 WHU
Shots: 21-7
On target: 12-4
Corners: 8-2
Fouls: 7-6
Yellow cards: 0-2

LFC Team: 1 Karius, 66 Alexander-Arnold, 32 Matip, 4 van Dijk, 26 Robertson, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23 Can, 7 Milner, 11 Salah (29 Solanke 88'), 9 Firmino (20 Lallana 82'), 19 Mané (18 Moreno 87'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez, 14 Henderson, 22 Mignolet.

WHU Team: 13 Adrián, 5 Zabaleta, 19 Collins (booked 43'), 21 Ogbonna, 3 Cresswell, 27 Evra, 18 João Mário (41 Rice 83'), 8 Kouyaté (booked 47'), 16 Noble, 10 Lanzini (30 Antonio 58'), 7 Arnautovic (17 Hernández 83'). 3-4-3
Subs not used: 2 Reid, 12 Hugill, 22 Byram, 25 Hart.

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Man of the match: Mohamed Salah
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,256

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR coverage.

LFC Move Closer To CL Last 16

Sports - Football - Champions League - LFC 3:0 NKM

Liverpool got one step closer to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2008-09, topping the group after beating NK Maribor 3-0 at Anfield, in not the most riveting and convincing victory on Wednesday night.

Click here for my full LFC ByTheMin match coverage.

The first half was the only goalless half of the night in Europe, agonising to watch the Reds dominate the ball, creating chance after chance, Maribor's keeper Jasmin Handanović and defensive back line of eight frustrating the hell out of the home side.

Ragnar Klavan and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were the two changes for the Reds since the two sides met in Slovenia a couple of weeks ago, replacing Dejan Lovren and Philippe Coutinho due to lack of form and fitness respectively.

It didn't help when Liverpool were forced to make their first change, Georginio Wijnaldum getting injured with just over 15 minutes played, to be replaced by Jordan Henderson.

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino created most chances for the Reds, but it was still goalless at the break, the home side unable to break the deadlock despite 12 chances and 84% possession in the first half alone!

The atmosphere reflected the frustration and disappointment, the Maribor fans making themselves heard at Anfield more than once or twice.

Momo finally found the breakthrough shortly after the interval with a cheeky back-footer, Joël Matip winning the ball back near the centre-circle, passing to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who found the Egyptian in the box.

Salah registered his 10th goal in all competitions, plus three assists, that's more goal involvements than any other LFC player.

Seconds later, the Reds were awarded a penalty after Bobby was wrestled to the ground by Aleksander Rajčević, who was booked for his wrestling/judo skills.

Skipper James Milner's spot kick was soft and predictable, Handanović able to glove it onto the post and clear.

With that miss, Liverpool have messed up five out of their last seven penalties!

Salah missed more sitters, Firmino was denied by Handanović, the crowd died down and shut down more and more in silence.

Even Jürgen Klopp showed less tantrums and more composure than usual. Worrying. Disappointing.

Emre Can finally doubled the lead with just under half an hour to go, banging the ball from the centre of the box with his right foot into the back of the net off Milner's pass.

Loris Karius did not have much to do, but the couple of times Maribor did attack, the keeper showed full attention and good focus, stopping and saving well.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge made it three in the final minute, waking up Anfield with a nice first touch and then strong volley with his left foot, capitalising off another Red corner and sleepy defence in the box.

It was a very one-sided game, but the visitors can be very happy the way they frustrated the hell out of the home side. Patience is a virtue. One more and more LFC fans seem to lack...

It is a win for the Reds which sees them top of Group E, a point ahead of Sevilla in second, plus a clean sheet, but it was nowhere near the quality, glory and entertainment of other European clashes.

On a more positive note, Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in their past five games in all competitions, after managing none in the seven games before that, and have scored 14 in the last five matches. 14!

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Liverpool Goals: Salah 49', Can 64' & Sturridge 90'.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum (14 Henderson 16'), 23 Can, 7 Milner (c); 11 Salah (15 Sturridge 73'), 9 Firmino (16 Grujić 85'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain. 4-3-3
Substitutes not used: 22 Mignolet, 12 Gomez, 26 Robertson, 29 Solanke.
Coach: Jürgen Klopp

NK Maribor Team: 33 Handanović (c); 4 Šuler, 26 Rajčević (booked 53'), 3 Billong; 28 Viler, 8 Kabha, 6 Pihler, 22 Milec; 39 Bohar (booked 23') (20 Bajde 69'), 27 Mešanović (9 Tavares 58'), 10 Hotić (7 Ahmedi 81'). 3-4-3
Substitutes not used: 69 Obradović, 5 Vrhovec, 12 Vršič, 29 Palčič.
Coach: Darko Milanoč

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 NKM
Possession: 84%-16%
Passes: 459-91
Shots: 12-1
On target: 2-0
Corners: 9-0
Fouls: 2-4
Yellow cards: 0-1

FT Stats: LFC 3-0 NKM
Possession: 75%-25%
Shots: 23-5
On target: 9-1
Corners: 17-2
Fouls: 7-9
Yellow cards: 0-2

Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
Assistants: Martin Balko & Tomaš Somolani (SVK)
Additional assistants: Peter Kralović & Filip Glova (SVK)
Fourth official: Branislav Hancko (SVK)
UEFA delegate: Danilo Filacchione (ITA)
Man of the match: Emre Can
Ground: Anfield

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and beIN sport live match coverage.

MUFC Parked Bus Gets Point At Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 0:0 MUFC

Liverpool were once again unable to capitalize on their dominance, handing bitter rivals Manchester United a point at Anfield in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.

Click here for my live match notes.

The goalless draw was not as boring as last season's, but José Mourinho will be just as satisfied with his bus parked at the back getting him another point, again.

The Reds were on top, from start to finish, chance after chance, the Red Devils just had star keeper David de Gea to thank for keeping a clean sheet.

On the other side, Simon Mignolet did not have much to do, but the couple of times the Belgian stopper was called upon, he kept solid.

Jürgen Klopp's side coped much better at the back in general, covering, marking, challenging, which was missing a lot in previous matches.

Romelu Lukaku, who scored in every league game before this meeting, created most and pulled one save out of Mignolet in the first half for the visitors.

But in the second half, there was no sign of him. The home side took over completely.

Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah worked most and hardest to push and produce something for the Reds, but the final edge, inch, push was missing.

So many misses, close calls, 10-0 shots in the second half, but none on target, just showed once again, stats don't count, goals do!

Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum missed sitters, even Joel Matip came close, keeping de Gea on his toes, literally (making a crucial save with the tip of his boot earlier in the first half).

All those misses and frustrations aside, Liverpool can take some encouragement out of this point though too.

Klopp has just lost once against Mourinho in seven meetings (W3 D3).

The Reds have kept their first clean sheet in the league since the 27th August, when they thrashed Arsenal 4-0.

The fact that Mourinho is happy with the point shows how times and forces have changed.

The draw keeps United unbeaten in second place on 20 points, two points and six goals behind high hitters City, whilst the Merseysiders are down to eighth, but level on 13 points with Burnley, Arsenal and Chelsea above them.

Next weekend LFC will be heading to Wembley to face 3rd placed Tottenham, who scraped and scratched out a 1-0 win against Bournemouth who are 19th.

Fingers crossed, the Reds can jump on Spurs' weaknesses at home and it will finally work and click for them. At some point, eventually, it just has to. It's their best chance to close the gap to the teams above, gain confidence and start a run.

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LFC team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno; 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 78'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87'), 10 Coutinho (15 Sturridge 78'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

MUFC team: 1 De Gea; 25 Valencia (c), 12 Smalling (booked 74'), 4 Jones, 36 Darmian; 21 Herrera, 31 Matic; 18 Young (booked 87') (2 Lindelof 92'), 22 Mkhitaryan (14 Lingard 63'), 11 Martial (19 Rashford 66'); 9 Lukaku. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 8 Mata, 17 Blind, 20 Romero, 38 Tuanzebe.

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 MUFC
Possession: 63.4%-36.6%
Shots: 9-6
On target: 5-1
Corners: 1-3
Offsides: 2-1
Fouls: 2-6
Yellow cards: 0-0
Red cards: 0-0

FT Stats: LFC 0-0 MUFC
Possession: 62.2%-37.8%
Shots: 19-6
On target: 5-1
Corners: 7-3
Offsides: 3-1
Fouls: 7-13
Yellow cards: 0-2
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: David de Gea
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,912

Click here for me previous LFC match report.

All images, facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports and BBC match reports and coverage.

Milner Pen Miss Costs Reds Two Points

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 0:0 SFC

James Milner's first penalty miss in a Liverpool shirt dealt his club a big blow in their race to stay in the top four by dropping more points after a goalless draw against Southampton.

Anfield was tense and silent, frustrated and disappointed once again, in a game that did not have much else to show for or report about, too much like their last home disappointment against Palace a couple of weeks ago.

The Reds looked tired and slow and rarely tested Saints keeper Fraser Forster, whilst the visitors didn't even record an attempt at all in the first half, nothing on target in the whole match, keeping the back line long and strong.

Over an hour had passed when Emre Can's passionate appeal for a penalty against Jack Stephens handling the ball ended up in celebrations as the referee pointed to the spot.

But the celebrations didn't last long. Milner, waiting in Forster's shadow to place the ball on the spot, seemed to have been cracked by the England keeper's mind games, seeing his spot-kick saved and gloved away to the stopper's right.

The Reds' deputy skipper looked devastated after his first penalty miss since November 2009, whilst Forster was celebrated for his first penalty save in the Premier League (Milner's being the ninth one faced).

The only other chance of note for the Reds came in stoppage time, man of the match Forster keeping out substitute Marko Grujic's header from close range.

It was just not to be. Simon Mignolet on the other hand, had one lucky escape late on, gloving the ball away on the edge of the box, replays showing the LFC keeper was over the line outside his area.

Reds boss Jürgen Klopp was his usual mental self, shouting, grimacing and arguing with the officials throughout.

Saints manager Claude Puel is unbeaten against his German counterpart, having played Liverpool four times this season, conceding not a single goal.

It's the first time since 2008-09 that Liverpool have recorded a goalless draw home and away against the same opponent in the Premier League.

Klopp has never beaten Southampton in the Premier League (D3, L1), having faced them more than any other opponent without winning.

The draw sees Saints drop to 10th with a couple of games in hand, whilst Liverpool stay third, keeping control of their Champions League faith after seeing Arsenal beat Manchester United the same afternoon.

But the Reds can only keep control if they take control, which has not been the case at home lately, none of the famous pressing and gegenpressing, just slow kick-about and blank stares after yet another miss/mess-up!

On a more positive note, Liverpool are already 10 points better off than the end of last season, with two games still left to play!

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 2 Clyne, 33 Matip, 6 Lovren (booked), 7 Milner, 23 Can, 21 Lucas (20 Lallana 69'), 5 Wijnaldum (16 Grujic 87'), 11 Firmino, 27 Origi (15 Sturridge 69'), 10 Coutinho. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Southampton Team: 1 Forster, 2 Soares (booked), 24 Stephens, 3 Yoshida, 21 Bertrand (booked), 11 Tadic, 8 Davis, 14 Romeu, 16 Ward-Prowse (booked), 19 Boufal (22 Redmond 60'), 20 Gabbiadini (7 Long 69'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 9 Rodriguez, 12 Cáceres, 23 Højbjerg, 26 Pied, 40 Hassen.

1st & 2nd half stats: LFC-SFC
Score: 0-0 & 0-0
Possession: 66%-34% & 65%-35%
Shots: 5-0 & 17-4
On target: 3-0 & 8-0
Corners: 1-1 & 3-6
Fouls: 4-2 & 9-4
Bookings: 0-0 & 1-3

Referee: Robert Madley
Man of the match: Fraser Forster
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,159

Click here to read my last LFC match report.

All pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 35

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 35

The 35th week of the Premier League action saw:
264 shots - most by Man City = 22
16 goals - most by Chelsea = 3
212 fouls - most by Arsenal = 15
42 bookings - most by Chelsea, Boro & Man City = 4 each
0 red cards
4 penalties - 3 scored (Rooney for United, Agüero for Man City, Kane for Tottenham)

What a game! Sunday's action awoke everyone out of their Saturday trance. The four games saw eleven goals, whilst the five matches the day before recorded a dire four goals! The two Super Sunday 14:05 kick-offs served cracking second halves, seemingly synchronising some of the action and goals, it was difficult to keep up. Chelsea took Everton apart 0-3 at Goodison Park, whilst Man City left Middlesbrough furious fighting out a 2-2 draw at the Riverside.

What a team! The last Super Sunday fixture was the London derby which saw Tottenham beat Arsenal 2-0 at White Hart Lane, proving they deserve to be where they are, way above their bitter rivals. It will be the first time in 22 years Spurs will finish above the Gunners, or shall I say Goners! I loved the Lane's signs and chants... "Please mind the gap"... "Wenger, we want you to stay"... Lol! It could have been a much worse thrash if it weren't for a certain Czech keeper...

What a man! ... Petr Čech! Arsenal were down and out of the game and race to compete with Tottenham, bad enough as it was, but their stopper spared them from a much worse thrashing! The 34-year-old made some superb saves, blocks and stops, denying Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen. Jamie Vardy made it 9 in 13 for Leicester, his clinical right foot seeing the Foxes leave the Hawthorns 0-1 victors. Simon Mignolet is another keeper worth mentioning, keeping a clean sheet...

What a goal! ... After Emre Can's acrobatic cracker of a goal put Liverpool ahead against Watford. The German midfielder stunned everyone at Vicarage Road, meeting Lucas Leiva's cross with a beautiful right-footed overhead-kick into the left corner, giving goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes no chance. It's his fifth goal of the season, which lit up an otherwise ordinary game and kept his side in control of their Champions League qualification. Click here for my full LFC match report.

What the hell?! The referees were useless again this weekend! Burnley had a second goal disallowed at Crystal Palace, and rightly so as replays showed Ashley Barnes handled the ball in. But the officials didn't present or explain themselves very well. Video evidence would have cleared up things much better and quicker. Even worse at Old Trafford and the Riverside, both Manchester sides winning questionable soft penalties, Spurs too at the Emirates, where replays showed their players were diving and whining and making the most out of nothing! And they call themselves men! I've said it before and I will say it again, why oh why can replays not be used to name and shame and caution if not even suspend the right people! Oh, and the referees should be rated and penalised for their poor shows as well!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Southampton 2:1 Hull City - 0:0
Stoke City 2:1 West Ham - 0:0
Sunderland 0:0 Bournemouth - 0:1
West Brom 1:2 Leicester - 0:1
Crystal Palace 1:0 Burnley - 0:2
Man United 2:1 Swansea - 1:1
Everton 2:1 Chelsea - 0:3
Middlesbrough 0:2 Man City - 2:2
Tottenham 3:1 Arsenal - 2:0
Watford 2:1 Liverpool - 0:1 or click here for my full LFC match report

Games in hand played before the weekend (not predicted):
Arsenal 1:0 Leicester (thanks to Huth OG, lucky Gunners!)
Crystal Palace 0:1 Tottenham (their 8th win in a row!)
Middlesbrough 1:0 Sunderland (de Roon's 1st goal in 2017!)
Man City 0:0 Man United (Fellaini sent off for a head butt!)

Not much missed, just 3 goals in the 4 games, 81 shots, 92 fouls, 20 bookings and one sending off! You know it's been a bad display when fouls outnumber shots!

Click here for my previous Premier League Picks Of The Week.

All pictures and stats taken from the BBC match reports and MOTD.

Can's Acrobatic Winner Stuns Watford

Sports - Football - Premier League - WFC 0:1 LFC

Emre Can's extraordinary acrobatic volley, his fifth goal of the season, decided an otherwise ordinary game at Watford, handing Liverpool a crucial 0-1 away win in their race to stay in the Premier League top four.

The German midfielder stunned everyone at Vicarage Road, meeting Lucas Leiva's cross with a beautiful right-footed overhead bicycle-kick into the top-left corner, giving goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes no chance, two minutes into stoppage time before the break.

That has taken the Reds' goal tally in the last 15 minutes before the interval to 16 this season, more than any other side, one more than Manchester United and Tottenham.

Before that, not much else happened, both sides recording just a shot on target each, Can with another strong attempt from 25 yards out in the 20th minute, but not much else to worry either keeper much.

Adam Lallana, who had to be brought on for an injured Philippe Coutinho in the 13th minute returning from injury himself after five matches out, had come closest just a few minutes before Can's stunner, seeing his attempt from outside the box come off the crossbar.

The second half was dominated by both keepers' strong displays, strength and presence.

Gomes denied James Milner, Divock Origi and then substitute Daniel Sturridge late on in a tense ending to the game.

Simon Mignolet kept solid as well, frustrating the Hornets, Etienne Capoue and Sebastian Prödl especially, who both were booked for their anger at the decisions that went against them, the latter also seeing his effort come off the crossbar in the final seconds.

Vicarage Road was loud, the away end even louder, louder than Anfield last week after the miserable defeat against Crystal Palace, YNWA echoing around the ground at the end.

Both managers Walter Mazzarri and Jürgen Klopp made themselves heard and seen throughout the game as well, with shouts and gestures, to keep everyone entertained when not much else was happening on the pitch.

The result sees Watford drop to 13th on 40 points with a game in hand on the other teams around them, whilst Liverpool remain third three and four points ahead of Manchester City and United in fourth and fifth respectively, both with a game in hand.

So, after all the other results went their way, as long as the Reds keep winning their final three league games and don't repeat an embarrassing slip up like against Crystal Palace, the Champions League qualification is in their hands!

The last three games are: Southampton at home (Sunday 7th May), West Ham away (Sunday 14th May) and Middlesbrough at home (Sunday 21st May). Easy. You would think.

It never is easy with Liverpool though!

Liverpool Goal: Can 45'+2'.

Watford Team: 1 Gomes, 6 Mariappa, 5 Prödl (booked), 3 Britos (27 Kabasele 19'), 7 Amrabat (33 Okaka 85'), 29 Capoue (booked) (10 Success 73' (booked)), 16 Doucouré, 8 Cleverley, 22 Janmaat, 9 Deeney, 21 Niang.
Subs not used: 11 Behrami, 18 Zuñiga, 30 Pantilimon, 42 Eleftheriou.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 2 Clyne, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 7 Milner, 21 Lucas (booked), 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 11 Firmino, 27 Origi (15 Sturridge 84'), 10 Coutinho (20 Lallana 13' (17 Klavan 87')).
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 16 Grujic, 18 Moreno, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT & FT Match Stats: WFC-LFC
Score: 0-1 & 0-1
Possession: 36%-64% & 40%-60%
Shots: 3-5 & 9-12
On target: 1-2 & 2-8
Corners: 1-1 & 3-5
Fouls: 4-4 & 11-9
Bookings: 0-1 & 3-1

Referee: Craig Pawson
Man of the match: Emre Can
Ground: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,959

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures and stats are taken from the BBC match report.

Liverpool Win "Ugly" Against Burnley

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 2:1 BFC

Liverpool came back from behind to record their third consecutive home win in the league beating Burnley 2-1 at Anfield.

Click here for my full ByTheMin coverage of the game.

The home side didn't create a single chance in the opening half an hour and it looked like yet another shocking defeat when Sean Dyche's men took the lead early on at Anfield thanks to Ashley Barnes, who had a smashing game, in more than one way.

The 27-year-old forward was always on the opponents' case, playing the good old physical game, pushing, pressing, creating, producing and could have scored more.

He gave the Clarets the lead just seven minutes in, connecting to the brilliant pass in from Matthew Lowton and netting it with his right foot sliding in.

It looked like the visitors were bossing it and could have taken a nice dominant and deserved lead into the break.

But Georginio Wijnaldum levelled the score in added time just before the interval, putting Divock Origi's cross from the left past Ben Mee who was on his knees from close range.

The second half grew more and more frustrating for the Reds, Anfield growing more and more tense.

But Emre Can denied the Clarets the league double over the Reds, making it 2-1 just past the hour-mark with a low right-footed shot off the post into the corner of the net, the Merseysiders recording their first "ugly" win as manager Jürgen Klopp put it.

The goal came out of nowhere, shortly after the German boss had made his first substitution, bringing on Academy youngster Ben Woodburn for Philippe Coutinho. Klopp was obviously not happy.

The more relieved the Kop could be about recording three points, especially after all the media focus on their lack of form against the lower sides.

It's Liverpool's 16th Premier League win of the season, equalling their tally of wins for the whole 2015-16 season.

The pressure stays on the Reds to remain in the top four with the teams around them having games in hand and their next match is the Super Sunday clash against Manchester City at the Etihad.

Liverpool Goals: Wijnaldum 45'+1, Can 61'.

Burnley Goal: Barnes 7'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner (c), 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 20 Lallana (booked 87'), 23 Can (booked 63'), 5 Wijnaldum; 10 Coutinho (58 Woodburn 60'), 27 Origi (21 Lucas 79'), 19 Mané. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 12 Gomez, 18 Moreno, 59 Wilson, 66 Alex-Arnold.

Burnley Team: 1 Heaton (c); 23 Ward, 6 Mee (booked 37'), 5 Keane, 2 Lowton; 37 Arfield (32 Agya 90'), 13 Hendrick, 19 Barton, 21 Boyd (12 Brady 73'); 7 Gray (9 Vokes 80'), 10 Barnes. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 17 Robinson, 18 Westwood, 26 Tarkowski, 27 Darikwa.

HT & FT Stats: Liverpool-Burnley
Score: 1-1 & 2-1
Possession: 70%-30% & 65%-35%
Shots: 5-4 & 10-11
On target: 1-1 & 3-1
Corners: 7-1 & 11-1
Fouls: 4-9 & 12-16
Bookings: 0-1 & 2-2

Referee: Craig Pawson
Man of the match: Ashley Barnes
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,145

Click here for my last LFC match.

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report and Sky Sports coverage.

Cherries Shock Reds In 7-Goal Thriller

Sports - Football - Premier League - AFCB 4:3 LFC

Bournemouth beat Liverpool for the first time, coming back from two goals down, scoring three goals in the final 14 minutes, to win 4-3 and end the Reds' 15-match unbeaten run.

It was a game of two halves with a dramatic grand finale at the Vitality Stadium.

The visitors started comfortably and dominant, taking the lead in the 20th minute thanks to Sadio Mané's easy tap in, his seventh league goal of the season.

Not even two minutes later, Divock Origi broke free, keeper Artur Boruc storming past him, the Belgian forward striking from a tight angle, the stadium gasping, utter silence, waiting, expecting, goal, 0-2, all the dominance paid off.

Junior Stanislas was the only ray of hope for the home side, creating chances, only to see the ball given away and wasted on numerous occasions.

And the Cherries were in uproar when they were denied a penalty by referee Robert Madley after Nathan Aké was clipped in the box surrounded by Liverpool defenders.

The half-time whistle could not have come soon enough for Eddie Howe's men, and it would have been more than interesting to be a fly on the wall of that dressing room during the interval.

Former Liverpool man Jordon Ibe was brought on in place of Joshua King for the home side after the break, ringing change.

More change was enforced soon after, Stanislas injured thanks to Jordan Henderson's clumsy tackle that put him in the ref's book, to be replaced by Ryan Fraser. Little did they know how much that sub would change for them.

Moments later James Milner conceded a penalty, netted by striker Callum Wilson to make it 1-2. Game on. Liverpool not so dominant anymore, Jürgen Klopp furious on the sideline, warned off by the officials.

Emre Can restored the two-goal cushion a few minutes later, hitting a nice curling shot, scoring his third league goal of the season, stopping the Bournemouth comeback in its track. Or so they thought.

The Reds thought they had the ball over the line off a Milner corner, keeper Boruc taking it, nearly over the line, replays showing it was really close. But all sound and vibration alerts stayed silent, by a millimetre or two.

Then the last sub for the home side Benik Afobe missed a chance to see man of the match Fraser net it after a nice counter by Bournemouth to make it 2-3. Then all hell broke loose for the Reds.

Seconds later defender Steve Cook levelled the score collecting super-sub Fraser's fine cross, turning and converting nicely, 3-3.

Liverpool's defence looked all over the place at this point, keeper Loris Karius forced into a save by Afobe again, Bournemouth bossing it, Klopp looking lost for words.

Origi and sub Adam Lallana had late chances to nick a win, but it was not to be.

The shocking turnaround was completed by the hosts in the third minute of stoppage time, Karius spilling the ball, Aké pouncing on it to make it count, 4-3!

Bournemouth looked the hungrier in the second half, Liverpool all over the place, the complete opposite of the first half. What a turnaround!

The Red bubble was well and truly burst by the Cherries. The Scousers had not conceded for over 5.5 hours and now netted four, costing them three points, seeing them slip down to third, four points behind league leaders Chelsea, one behind Arsenal in second, ahead of City in fourth just on goal difference.

The Christmas fixture list will now look very different to Klopp and his men.

Click here to read my full ByTheMinute match coverage

Bournemouth Goals: Wilson pen 56', Fraser 76', Cook 78' & Aké 90'+3'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 20', Origi 22' & Can 64'.

Bournemouth Team: 1 Boruc; 15 Smith, 2 Francis (c) (booked 50'), 3 Cook, 5 Aké; 8 Arter, 4 Gosling (9 Afobe 75'); 17 King (33 Ibe 45'), 32 Wilshere (booked 48'), 19 Stanislas (24 Fraser 55'); 13 Wilson. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 7 Pugh, 14 Smith, 23 Federici, 26 Mings.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 2 Clyne, 21 Lucas, 6 Lovren, 7 Milner; 23 Can (booked 87'), 14 Henderson (booked 53'), 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (20 Lallana 69'), 27 Origi, 11 Firmino. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 53 Ejaria, 58 Woodburn, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT Stats:
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Attempts: 1-5
On target: 0-2
Offside: 0-1
Corners: 1-6
Fouls: 5-4
No bookings
Possession: 41%-59%

FT Stats:
Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool
Attempts: 12-10
On target: 8-3
Offsides: 1-1
Corners: 4-9
Fouls: 9-17
Bookings: 2-2
Possession: 39.9%-60.1%

Referee: Robert Madley
Man of the match: Ryan Fraser
Ground: Vitality Stadium
Attendance: 11,183

Pictures taken from the BBC match report & stats from Sky Sports live coverage

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Liverpool TOP after thrashing Watford

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 1:6 WFC

The Reds went top of the Premier League for the first time under manager Jürgen Klopp after destroying Watford 6-1 at Anfield. And it could have been more.

Hornets keeper Heurelho Gomes had already made some fine stops against Lucas Leiva, Roberto Firmino hit the bar and missed a sitter and Philippe Coutinho had sent another chance wide.

With 25 minutes gone, it looked like it wasn't going to be Liverpool's day, Walter Mazzarri's men sticking to their job and frustrating the home side.

Sadio Mané broke the dead lock, finally, in the 27th minute, with an acrobatic header off a corner.

Three minutes later, his Brazilian team mate Coutinho doubled the lead, drilling in his fifth league goal of the season from 20 yards out, beating/ignoring/defying four defenders in front of him.

To make things worse for the visitors, at 2-0 down, just over half an hour gone, Gomes had to be replaced due to injury, Costel Pantilimon forced to take over the challenge.

Emre Can made it 3-0 before the break, heading in Adam Lallana's cross after a great run and ball in from the right, with all the space in the world, no chance for the sub-keeper.

The 6'8'' stopper did glove James Milner's free kick high and out to keep it "just" 3-0 at half time, although Lucas and Firmino could and should have combined for more, but to Watford's relief they messed it up and missed out.

Liverpool kept pushing and pressing after the break despite the comfortable lead.

And it was Coutinho and Lallana, given way too much space in and around the box off a free kick, the latter's cut-back finding and providing Firmino with an easy and comfortable chance to put away and make it 4-0.

And the Brazilian provided the next goal with a fine run and turn in the box, to Mané, who made no mistake of slotting it in and making it two for him and five for Liverpool.

Red keeper Loris Karius did not have much to do, but did deny Etienne Capoue after a one-on-one, with Milner's help, before Watford did pull one back, a consolation goal, destroying the much-wanted clean sheet.

Daryl Janmaat kept his cool, collected and netted the ball into the bottom left after Milner went down too easily in the build-up. Just a consolation goal, meaning Klopp's men have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season though.

But the Reds didn't (and don't) have to care about that atm - Daniel Sturridge had come on replacing Lallana and was causing even more havoc, striking the bar TWICE!

Georgino Wijnaldum netted the sixth for Liverpool after Sturridge was denied TWICE by Pantilimon, for the Dutchman to score his first goal for the club off the rebound in stoppage time.

6-1 was the final score, 17-8 shots on target, 17 being the most shots on target recorded in the Premier League since 2003.

It's Watford's joint heaviest defeat in the Premier League with a 5-0 defeat against Wimbledon in December 1999.

The Hornets conceded more goals in this game against the Reds than they had in their past six Premier League matches combined (5)!

So, this all proves, the Reds are on fire and high flying, top of the Premier League for the international break. Einfach nur geil! BOOM! XxXxX

Liverpool Goals: Mané 27' & 60', Coutinho 30', Can 43', Firmino 57' & Wijnaldum 90'+1'.

Watford Goal: Janmaat 75'.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 7 Milner, 32 Matip, 21 Lucas, 2 Clyne; 20 Lallana (15 Sturridge 70'), 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 19 Mané (5 Wijnaldum 62' (booked 85')), 11 Firmino, 10 Coutinho (53 Ejara 87'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 27 Origi.

Watford Team: 1 Gomes (30 Pantilimon 33'); 25 Holebas (booked 56'), 3 Britos (booked 80'), 4 Kaboul, 22 Janmaat; 37 Pereyra (18 Zuniga 86'), 29 Capoue, 11 Behrami (23 Watson 62'), 7 Amrabat; 9 Deeney (c), 24 Ighalo. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 6 Mariappa, 17 Guedioura, 19 Sinclair, 27 Kabasele.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Watford 1st & 2nd half
Attempts: 15-4 & 28-11
On target: 9-2 & 17-8
Corners: 4-0 & 6-3
Free kicks: 5-8 & 10-14
Bookings: 0-0 & 1-2
Possession: 59%-41% & 60%-40%

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho
Attendance: 53,163

Pictures taken from BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report