Just in time, DARWIN NUNEZ found his goal-scoring form again, propelling Liverpool to the top of the standings.
The Uruguayan scored an early goal today, despite not finding the net since November 1st.
Darwin Nunez opened the scoring Credit: AFP
3Diogo Jota netted the secondCredit: Reuters
It was his first goal since returning from injury Credit: Reuters
And with star striker Mo Salah leaving for the African Cup of Nations early in the New Year, more of those will be required.Another player who will be important while the Egyptian is gone is Diogo Jota, who celebrated his injury comeback with a late second.All of this ensured that Jurgen Klopp maintained his immaculate Boxing Day record, triumphing on December 26 for the fifth time in six meetings.
Liverpool knew that a victory would propel them to the top of the table and put more pressure on the Gunners, as Arsenal’s next game is not until Thursday.For Klopp’s team, it was their fourth game in ten days, so he opted to play it safe.
Despite the fact that he made five changes from the tie with Arsenal on Saturday, he has had success in this area recently.In their previous eight visits to this region of East Lancashire, the Reds have triumphed seven times.Although it wasn’t the best spot to spend Boxing Day, Klopp had said last week that it could have been worse.This season, the Clarets had dropped all but one of their nine Premier League games at Turf Moor.Even if they defeated Fulham over the weekend, they still have a long way to go before they can get back to the Championship.
Nevertheless, during his playing career, Vincent Kompany repeatedly broke Liverpool hearts; he planned to do the same in his first encounter with them as manager.
Although Zeki Amdouni, the forward, got a good start for his team, he made a poor decision by slicing wide from a good position.Moments afterward, Nunez demonstrated to him the proper technique by winning a pass from Cody Gakpo near the box’s edge.
With his first goal in 13 Reds appearances—his last coming in early November—the Uruguayan curved his low shot around James Trafford.Before he leaves to play for his country, Mohamed Salah wants to score his 150th goal for Liverpool.The England Under 21 player made the first of many saves when he flicked over the Egyptian’s first-ever snapshot.
Trent Alexander-Arnold then made a fantastic pass, but Gakpo chopped an attempt high and wide afterward.After slamming home a loose ball, the Dutch attacker felt he had scored his team’s second goal, but referee Paul Tierney signalled a foul.
The VAR spotted Nunez’s tug on Charlie Taylor, and even though it appeared to be a light one, there was insufficient data to reverse the ruling.With an inch-perfect pass, Gakpo found Salah, but the forward decided to take his 20-yard attempt early and it rebounded against the top of the crossbar.
Having made seven saves on the evening, Trafford finished the first half with a pair of astute stops to deny Wataru Endo and Salah.
Klopp would have been hating the fact that his team was still in the picture.Ten minutes into the second half, Elliott appeared to have finally found the net when he headed in a cross from Ryan Gravenberch.
However, the VAR saw that Salah was offside and appeared to be in Trafford’s eyeline, so it was once more ruled out.
Wilson Odobert skillfully navigated into the box, affixing a cross to the rear post, beyond which Johann Berg Gudmundsson proceeded.
There were still opportunities on the opposite end, even if the home team had significantly improved.Sub Dominik Szoboszlai left Reds supporters biting their nails when he inexplicably failed to convert in a header back across goal from Curtis Jones.
And when Endo handed the ball to Jacob Bruun Larsson, their worst fears nearly came true as the Dane’s shot sailed narrowly wide.
Jota, who had been sidelined for a month due to a hamstring injury, scored the game-winning goal for Liverpool seven minutes after entering from the bench.After exchanging passes with fellow substitute Luis Diaz, the former Wolves player blasted past Trafford from a close angle.
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