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Dry January is no more

It hasn't felt like it, at times – a draw is seen as a defeat at Liverpool these days, after all, while even the sight of a teamsheet can cause panic – but the Reds have been excellent form.

The best, in fact, of the Jurgen Klopp era.

They arrived into 2018 on a 15-game unbeaten run, in the top four of the Premier League and looking at a good run in both the Champions League and FA Cup. Reasons to be cheerful.

Even more so this evening.

January has not been especially kind to Klopp during his time on Merseyside; in 18 games he had won just four prior to today, and two of those were against League Two opposition.

This, then, was hardly the ideal fixture with which to begin the new year.

What a big win, though. Liverpool could have been forgiven had they viewed a 1-1 draw as a loss, having been a goal up and had chances to bury the game.

But from adversity came strength, and one last push. Who knows where Emre Can found the energy for that surging run in stoppage time, or why Ragnar Klavan reacted in the box like a veteran poacher, but as someone once said; frankly, who cares?

A big win, then, which keeps Liverpool ahead of those below them and on the tails of those above.

Dry January? Not here. Not with this rain. Not with this Liverpool team.

The goal machine shows its battling qualities

(Image: Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Turf Moor has not been the place to be if you want goalscoring action this season.

In 10 matches prior to this one, only 13 goals had been witnessed here – the fewest of any Premier League venue.

Burnley have conceded just six of those – and three of those were in one game.

How, then, would Liverpool's free-wheelers fare against Sean Dyche's side?

The Reds' 10 away league games this term had brought 27 goals, their last eight in all competitions producing an incredible 30. Only Tottenham, in that spell, had stopped Jurgen Klopp's men from scoring three or more.

A remarkable run at any level, but one that could be sustained against a Burnley team that, one aberration against Spurs aside, has specialised in security on home soil?

The Clarets' game is about organisation, teamwork, defensive awareness and well-honed routines. It meant patience, rather than all-out-attack, was required. Expecting to run over such opponents, especially without three of the 'fab four', was unrealistic.

What was needed, instead, was a performance of grit, determination and self-belief. Liverpool provided it. Their quality was intermittent, but their spirit was anything but. Credit where it's due, not many teams come here and beat Burnley.

Fewer still will put as much into doing so as Liverpool did here.

Rotation vs Continuity

Jurgen Klopp said he would rotate for this game, and he was as good as his word.

Mo Salah's groin injury – hopefully not a serious one – ruled him out, while Nike transfer target Philippe Coutinho was another absence from the travelling squad, a sore thigh apparently.

Blows for the Reds, whichever way you slice it. They made seven changes from the win over Leicester on Saturday.

The good news lay in the quality of players stepping in. Adam Lallana got his first start of the season, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gini Wijnaldum returned. The bench contained Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Joel Matip, among others. Depth and experience.

This time last year, their options were far fewer, and it cost Liverpool - their first game of 2017 began a slide that almost cost them their season, a run of two wins from 12 ending their challenge on three fronts.

Burnley's approach to this game, typically, was different. Their team showed just one change from the one which had drawn at Huddersfield 48 hours previously, Dyche going for continuity against Klopp's rotation.

The difference was negligible during a tight first half, Burnley growing into the game after a Liverpool-led opening.

But fresh legs tend to come to the fore late in the game, and Liverpool, for a half-hour spell after the break, were able to control the game as best they could. And when they broke, they threatened.

Expect more changes for the visit of Everton in the FA Cup on Friday; that's the way it has to be for Liverpool at the moment. Gone are the days of sending out the same XI each week.

Their rotation worked here. Just.

Lallana's presence is a welcome one

Much has changed since Adam Lallana last started a competitive game for Liverpool – and not just in terms of his hair.

The England man was a key figure in last season's side, and Klopp will have been thrilled to be able to call on him from the start for the first time this season here.

His thigh issue in the past, Lallana will be desperate to make up for lost time having missed the best part of four months.

Here, as the third midfielder, he was as bright as we've come to expect, his touch as neat as ever and his movement smart as he drifted across the park.

He drilled one sublime pass into Oxlade-Chamberlain, clipped a cross just beyond Solanke and won a big, and vital, challenge to stop Gudmundsson running clear. All-action, as is his way.

He faded after the break, obviously. But what a fillip to have a player of such class to come back into the fold as we head towards the business end of the campaign.

He'll have a big role to play for Klopp's Reds between now and May.

Rewards for Mane, not for Solanke

(Image: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

It was some hit, the kind of pure strike to light up any contest.

That it came from Sadio Mane, and from his left foot, was significant. A big moment for Liverpool, a big moment for their No.19.

Mane's form of late, apparently, has not been great. The missed pass against Everton remains in people's minds, and he has found himself in and out of the starting XI.

And yet, and yet, he continues to influence games.

Remember his performance at Stoke? Remember his backheel to set up Salah against Leicester? These are big moments, the kind attacking players at Liverpool have to produce, whether at their best or below it.

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“It's obvious,” said Klopp. “Sadio is unbelievably important for us. You see him not quite at his best and then 'wow!' The team all stood up for him after the game. He will be back on top.”

How Dom Solanke would love a similarly explosive moment to ignite his Reds career. This was his 17 appearance, but only his fourth start. The search for a first goal goes on.

His work rate is there, boy is it there, but that confidence and clinical touch is just eluding him at present.

There is enough promise to suggest that his time will come at Anfield, though. And in Mane, he has an example of how hard work and perseverance can pay dividends.