Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that his club’s hopes of Champions League football next season depend on winning games when they do not play well, which they finally managed to do by coming from behind to beat Burnley 2-1.

Klopp’s fourth-placed side extend their lead over Arsenal and Manchester United to five and six points and the visit to Manchester City could conceivably see them leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side.

The German said it was the first “ugly” game at Liverpool he had won. “We all have to get used to it a little bit. It is the first ugly game I won,” he reflected. “Usually when we are not at our best we lost. The only thing is when you aren’t at your best it is close game and that is how it was.”

The Anfield side have generally played well and won or else dropped points this season. The win over Sean Dyche’s side, who for 45 minutes won the aerial battles and most of the first and second-ball challenges, brought Liverpool's first back-to- back wins of 2017.

Klopp said: “We were dominant enough. We played their game, the ball was in the air and battles for second balls. The goal we conceded we could have done better.

“There were a few other moments, a lot of headed challenges, and then you are 1-0 down. At the end of the first half we had our moments and then we scored a goal, nice goal, cross, there for the easy goal, if you want.

“We knew we have to do better. It was about formation, about orientation, when do we play the long balls. The plan from the beginning was to mix it up. Burnley was in this part of the game better. In the second half we did much better. They had not really a chance in open play. Simon [Mignolet] did an outstanding job for us in these situations [set pieces] and then Emre [Can] with a wonderful strike, a fantastic goal. Our rganisation was better. We had a few counter attacking moments and in the end we won the game.”

Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings simon-mignolet.jpg Sprinted out of goal on several occasions to punch the ball to safety – decision making was on point. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings nathaniel-clyne.jpg Defended well, but looked more dangerous going forward. He was charging down the wings relentlessly. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings joel-matip.jpg Held the shape well at the back and read the game well. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings ragnar-klavan.jpg Was getting aggravated by Barnes and this was dragging him out of position. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings james-milner.jpg He patrolled up and down the pitch, passing the ball well and starting some great moves. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings emre-can.jpg Battled relentlessly and his goal capped the Liverpool win. It was a sublime strike. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings georginio-wijnaldum.jpg His goal levelled scoring and gave Liverpool a lifeline. He ran the middle of the park today. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings adam-lallana1.jpg His vision created a number of moves for Liverpool and caused problems for Burnley’s back four. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings sadio-mane.jpg Was Liverpool’s main prospect going forward in the first half, but failed to test Heaton. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings philippe-coutinho.jpg It was a quiet display by a man of his ability and reputation – just did not get involved. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings divock-origi.jpg His positioning was spot on, but he did not have enough time on the ball to make an impact. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings tom-heaton.jpg Made a handful of saves, but it was not enough to keep his side in it. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings mathew-lowton.jpg His assist for the first goal was simply sublime. Continued to pump balls up to the strikers. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings michael-keane.jpg Failed to make an impact on the game – did not see a lot of the ball. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings ben-mee-pa.jpg Made a number of unnecessary fouls, to give Liverpool free kicks out of nowhere. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings stephen-ward.jpg Played it safe at the back and made a number of vital clearances and interceptions. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings george-boyd.jpg Boyd was oozing with confidence today and it reflected In his performance. He was going for goal and running at players. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings joey-barton.jpg Aside from being at the heart of the controversy, he did not do a lot. He gave away too many fouls. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings jeff-hendrick.jpg Looked encouraging when he picked up the ball and sprinted at the Liverpool players. Should have seen more of it. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings scott-arfield.jpg Was marked out of the game at times by the Liverpool midfield. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings ashley-barnes.jpg His goal opened the scoring and he continued to cause a nuisance of himself all afternoon. Getty Liverpool vs Burnley player ratings andre-gray.jpg He held the ball up well and worked well with Barnes, but he needed to show more confidence in front of goal. Getty

Burnley manager Sean Dyche’s side have still not won away all season but they were resilient and strong in the challenge, and the manager said more “luck” was due.

“It was a good performance, a solid performance. It is a broken record [buy] I thought we deserved something. We were resolute in our defending, good organisation, a good tactical plan, a sublime first goal, two or three other chances. We ruffled their feathers, deliberately made it awkward for them.