Liverpool soared to the summit of the Premier League with a commanding 2-0 victory over Burnley on Boxing Day. Darwin Nunez broke a 12-match goal drought, finding the net early on, while the returning Diogo Jota sealed the deal in the 90th minute. The win, coupled with an impressive performance, showcased Liverpool's prowess as they clinched all three points at Turf Moor.
The Reds made their intentions clear with five changes, featuring talents like Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, Harvey Elliott, and the goal-scorer Nunez. Burnley, buoyed by a recent win, made just one change, bringing in Mike Tresor.
In a promising start for Burnley, they squandered a counter-attack opportunity, a miss that Liverpool swiftly capitalized on. Nunez, receiving a pass from Cody Gakpo, clinically finished from outside the penalty area, ending his goal drought in style.
Liverpool continued to dominate, with James Trafford making crucial saves to keep Burnley in the contest. Despite the hosts' efforts, Liverpool had the ball in the net again, only for it to be ruled out after a VAR review.
The second half saw Liverpool maintain their attacking rhythm, creating numerous chances. Salah hit the crossbar, and Trafford denied him twice. Burnley, however, gained a glimmer of hope when Johann Gudmundsson headed over the bar.
The turning point came when Jota, back from injury, calmly slotted the ball past Trafford, notching his 50th goal for Liverpool. The victory extended Liverpool's Boxing Day record under Jurgen Klopp to six wins in six matches.
The Reds now sit atop the Premier League table with 42 points, showcasing their ambition for yet another title. Burnley, in 19th place with 11 points, faces a challenging climb out of the relegation zone.
This Boxing Day clash was a spectacle of Liverpool's attacking prowess and Burnley's resilient defense, setting the tone for an exciting title race in the second half of the season.