Liverpool have moved level on points with third-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table courtesy of a 2-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on New Year's Day.
Burnley's Johann Berg Gudmundsson netted two minutes from time to cancel out a strike from Sadio Mane, but Ragnar Klavan came up with a 94th-minute winner for the visitors.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.01pmAfternoon all, and a very happy New Year! Welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Burnley and Liverpool from Turf Moor. It should be a fascinating game of football between two teams enjoying strong seasons. Stay tuned for live updates!
2.04pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Burnley drew 0-0 at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, while Liverpool recorded a 2-1 victory over Leicester City on the same afternoon. Any changes from those two matches? Let's run through the XIs here...
2.07pmTEAMS!
BURNLEY: Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Arfield, Cork, Hendrick, Defour, Gudmundsson; Barnes
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Lovren, Gomez; Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke, Mane
2.10pmBurnley boss Sean Dyche has made just the one change from the team that started on Saturday, and it is a big one as key centre-back James Tarkowski returns from suspension to start. Ashley Barnes keeps his spot at centre-back, while Scott Arfield and Jack Cork both start in midfield.
2.13pmAs for Liverpool, the team news is very interesting indeed. Neither Philippe Coutinho nor Mohamed Salah are in the squad this afternoon, while Roberto Firmino starts on the bench. Adam Lallana comes in for his first Premier League start of the season, and there are also spots in the XI for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke. No Coutinho and no Salah is big news for the visitors!
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2.16pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 45 minutes from kickoff at Turf Moor. I shall speak about Burnley a little bit later, but let's start with Liverpool. The Reds will enter this match knowing that a win could well move them above Manchester United into third.
2.19pmLiverpool have not actually lost in the Premier League since suffering a 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on October 22. It is a 12-match unbeaten run in the top flight, and they have won three of their last four in the league - including a 2-1 home victory over Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
2.22pmVan Dijk is not involved today, but he is now officially a Liverpool player...
Virgil van Dijk is a Red. 🔴https://t.co/iGWEpGu1YH pic.twitter.com/qMLLjZjEUS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2018
2.25pmIt is a big few weeks for Liverpool as they host Manchester City in their next Premier League match on January 14, before visiting Swansea City on January 22. They will then travel to Huddersfield Town, before hosting Tottenham at the start of next month. Jurgen Klopp's side look extremely capable of finishing in the top four this season, but it is a testing few weeks, starting here.
2.28pmLiverpool's last away match in the Premier League was that incredible 3-3 draw at Arsenal on December 22. They scored four away to West Ham United at the start of November, and have also recently hit three, five and four on the road against Stoke, Brighton and Bournemouth respectively.
2.32pmThree points for Liverpool here would move them onto 44 - level with third-placed Man United, who travel to Everton in the late kickoff. Only Man City (0) have lost fewer league matches than Liverpool (2) this season, but the Reds are far from at full strength for this afternoon's match.
2.35pm
The Reds have arrived at Turf Moor 🔴✔
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2018
All set to go 👊 pic.twitter.com/XXh7UrYUcA
2.38pmAs for Burnley, the Clarets will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw away to Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon. Dyche's side are actually on a four-game winless run in the Premier League, but three of those have been draws - including a 2-2 at Man United on Boxing Day.
2.42pmA total of 34 points from 21 matches has left Burnley in seventh position in the table. They have won nine, drawn seven and lost five in the Premier League this season, which is a seriously impressive record considering their budget in comparison to the teams around them. A win here would move them level on points with sixth-placed Tottenham, who are not in action until tomorrow night.
2.45pmBurnley's position in the table is even more incredible when considering that they have only scored 18 Premier League goals this season. It is among the poorest attacking records in the division, but they have only conceded 17 times, which is among the best defensive records. Anyone for 0-0?
2.48pm
TEAM NEWS: Here's your first Clarets' team of the new year, to face @LFC pic.twitter.com/sLnk0U4Z8b
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 1, 2018
2.52pmIn terms of what is happening elsewhere in the Premier League today; Bournemouth have just picked up a point away to Brighton. Leicester will host Huddersfield in one of three 3pm kickoffs, with the other seeing Newcastle visit Stoke. As mentioned, Man United are away to Everton later. Our focus here is on Burnley against Liverpool, but stick around for updates from elsewhere.
2.55pmHere we go then; both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff. Can Liverpool move level on points with third-placed Man United, or will Burnley return to winning ways? It should be a fascinating game of football from Turf Moor. It is Dyche against Klopp, and kickoff is next - stay tuned!
0 minKICKOFF! Burnley kick things off on home soil...
2 min... it will be very interesting to see how Liverpool get on without Salah and Coutinho here. Lallana has just had a half-chance for the visitors, but his effort from distance was always over the crossbar.
4 minAnother half-chance for the away side as Alexander-Arnold races down the right before delivering into the Burnley box, but Lallana cannot make contact. Nothing much from Burnley in the early exchanges, with the Clarets looking to absorb the early pressure. Goalless with four minutes played.
6 minAll Liverpool in terms of possession as the away side continue to pass and probe. Burnley are not too interested in breaking forward, which is not much of a surprise. They are not in a hurry here.
8 minOxlade-Chamberlain breaks down the left for Liverpool before looking to pick out a teammate, but his effort hits the side-netting. Still goalless with eight minutes on the clock at Turf Moor.
9 minHalf-chance for Burnley as Barnes collects a smart pass from Hendrick inside the Liverpool box, but the attacker's effort was always wide of the post. Decent opening for the home side there.
12 minIt has been a fairly low-key 12 minutes of football thus far. Liverpool have shaded the possession, but clear chances have been few and far between. You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here. Burnley are more than happy to sit deep at the moment.
14 minLiverpool are struggling to break through the Burnley blockade at the moment.
16 minSAVE! Good goalkeeping from Pope as the Burnley stopper gets down to keep out a strike from Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had drifted central from a wide position.
18 minBurnley are just not offering anything in the final third at the moment. It is all Liverpool in terms of possession and attacking intent, but the score is still goalless with 18 minutes on the clock here.
20 minIt is super defending from Lallana as the Liverpool midfielder manages to challenge Arfield, who would have broken into the away side's box. Excellent work from Lallana in that exchange.
22 minLiverpool are just missing that cutting edge without Coutinho and Salah. Solanke has been bright with his movement, but the teenager does not have the same qualities as the two absentees.
24 minBit of possession for Burnley in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really making any ground. Gudmundsson keeps himself wide and looks to collect a pass from Hendrick, but Gomez is across to make the challenge. Not too much to report as the score stays goalless here.
27 minWe have not seen too much from Mane in the opening 27 minutes of this match, while Solanke has also been quiet. Barnes is nice and bright with his movement down the other end, but apart from that early strike - which missed the crossbar - he has struggled to get involved at Turf Moor.
29 minHalf-chance for the home side as Arfield meets a cross from Hendrick, but it was always a comfortable save for Mignolet, who is wearing the armband for the away side this afternoon.
32 minWijnaldum has a pop from distance after finding space outside the Burnley box, but his effort was always wide of the post. In truth, it has been a poor first 32 minutes. Nothing much has happened.
33 minMane again for Liverpool, and he again sends one harmlessly wide of the post.
35 minBurnley win a free kick in an advanced position, but Gudmundsson's effort is straight into the wall, and Liverpool manage to clear their lines. The second phase does see Gudmundsson manage to deliver into the away side's box, but Barnes cannot make contact under pressure from Matip.
37 minCHANCE! Big chance for the away side as Oxlade-Chamberlain slides a pass into Solanke, but the striker's touch is poor, and two Burnley defenders are back to make the clearance.
39 minCLOSE! Arfield's low strike just misses the post after Barnes won a flick-on!
41 minThe match has certainly livened up in the last few minutes, with both teams starting to make their mark in the final third of the field. Arfield probably should have scored in that last attack.
43 minA poor pass from Cork sees Lallana break towards the Burnley goal, but Oxlade-Chamberlain's strike is blocked. That just about sums up the first half. Goalless, and lacking quality all over the park.
45 minMane has been the one making things happen for Liverpool, while Lallana has also impressed on his first league start of the season. Solanke has struggled through the middle, however, and it would not be a surprise to see Firmino in the second period. Burnley have just delivered a dangerous low cross into the away side's box through Arfield, but Klavan was on hand to make the clearance.
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Burnley 0-0 Liverpool
3.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. In truth, it has not been a great half of football. Liverpool have shaded it, but neither has done enough to deserve to be ahead at this stage of proceedings. Let's hope for a better second period here!
3.52pmSTATISTICS! Liverpool shaded the first-half possession with 63%, while they had seven attempts, but just one of those was on target. Burnley, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their five attempts. No yellow cards to report; it has just not been that type of match. Not great thus far!
3.57pmBENCH WATCH! Liverpool boss Klopp has the likes of Firmino, Ings and Milner on his bench this afternoon, while Burnley have options in the shape of Vokes and Walters. It might well be a game which is won off the bench, and there could well be alterations at the half-time interval here.
46 minRESTART! Liverpool resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minYou do get the feeling that one goal could be enough to separate the two teams this afternoon. It has been an ugly match thus far, but neither manager would mind picking up a scrappy 1-0 win. It is points and not performances that are most important at this stage of the campaign.
51 minHalf-chance for the away side as Lallana breaks into the Burnley box before looking to dink a pass towards the far post, but Mee does well to make the clearance. Still goalless with 51 minutes played.
53 minAnother half-chance for Liverpool as Wijnaldum meets a cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the midfielder's header is over the far post. It has been a decent start to the second period from the Reds.
55 minAll of the pressure is coming from Liverpool at the moment as Oxlade-Chamberlain delivers another corner into the home side's box, but Mee makes another smart block. Burnley need to be careful here.
57 minBurnley are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as Liverpool continue to force the issue in the final third. We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering alterations, and both have players on the bench capable of influencing proceedings here.
61 minGOAL! Burnley 0-1 Liverpool (Mane)
62 minLiverpool finally make the breakthrough in the 61st minute as Mane smashes home from inside the Burnley box after collecting a cross from the right. It is a super finish from the attacker!
64 minBurnley are struggling to get hold of the ball at the moment, which is bringing groans from the home supporters. Liverpool have been much the better team since the half-time interval.
66 minAlexander-Arnold wins another corner for his team after breaking into the Burnley box. Liverpool are searching for the second goal which would surely kill this match as a contest.
68 minLittle over 20 minutes of football remaining, and we are still waiting for the first change of the match. Something has to give for Burnley, who have been pretty dire for much of this match.
71 minLiverpool are preparing their first change of the match as Firmino strips down. Still no movement on the Burnley bench, but a Walters or a Vokes might still have a say before the full-time whistle is blown.
71 minBURNLEY SUB! Vokes replaces Hendrick for the home side.
72 minLIVERPOOL SUB! Mane is replaced by Firmino for the away side.
74 minSAVE! Super save from Pope as the Burnley goalkeeper keeps out a strike from Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool want a second goal which would surely secure all three points.
76 minYou do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Liverpool are creating all of the chances, but at 1-0, Burnley will always be in with a chance. Still a lot of football to be played.
78 minAs it stands, Liverpool are moving level on points with third-placed Manchester United, who travel to Everton in the late kickoff. The Reds would also be just one point off second with a win here.
80 minBetter from Burnley in the last couple of minutes, and they have a half-chance as Barnes reacts to a loose ball inside the Liverpool box, but his effort is just wide of the far post.
82 minLiverpool's defence is coming under pressure now for really the first time in the second period.
84 minYou just get the feeling that something big is going to happen in the latter stages of this match. Burnley are pumping balls into the Liverpool box, and the visitors do not look comfortable here.
84 minSAVE! Another super save from Pope to keep out Oxlade-Chamberlain's strike!
85 minSAVE! Mignolet keeps out a close-range attempt from Vokes!
86 minBURNLEY SUB! Wells replaces Arfield for the home side.
87 minLIVERPOOL SUB! Milner replaces Lallana for Liverpool.
88 minGOAL! Burnley 1-1 Liverpool (Gudmundsson)
89 minOh my word! Burnley level in the 88th minute as Gudmundsson heads home at the far post after Liverpool had failed to deal with a cross! Poor defending from Liverpool once again!
90 min+1We are into the first of four additional minutes at Turf Moor!
90+2 minLiverpool cannot seem to deal with the high balls into their box at the moment as Burnley look to nick this late on. Little over two minutes of stoppage time remaining at Turf Moor here.
90+4 minGOAL! Burnley 1-2 Liverpool (Klavan)
90+4 minOh my word. Liverpool have surely won it in the fourth minute of added time as Klavan heads home from close range following a deep free kick into the Burnley box. Heartbreak for the home side.
90+5 minLovren met the initial free kick to head down towards the far post, and Klavan was on hand to head home from close range. Liverpool have stolen all the points in the final moments of this one.
90+6 minLIVERPOOL SUB! Matip replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain for the away side.
90+6 minFULL-TIME: Burnley 1-2 Liverpool
4.53pmSo there we have it. Klavan nets in the 94th minute as Liverpool record a 2-1 win at Burnley on New Year's Day. Liverpool have gone level with third-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again!
