Liverpool remain at the summit of the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.
The Reds’ 13th win a row is a record unmatched by any Liverpool team of the past.
A relatively routine win did have a few sparks fly late with Sadio Mane venting his frustrations when substituted.
The commentary crew seemed to suggest it was directed at Mo Salah who passed up a few chances to pass to his fellow winger.
Read Liverpool’s Tristan Fitzpatrick, Ste Hoare and Reece Chambers dissected the action and talking-points post match.
Unchanged team for the first time this year, do you think this is Liverpool’s best lineup?
Ste: On current form, I’d say yes. I wouldn’t mind seeing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or a fit Naby Keita in midfield to add a bit more drive, and I still think Joe Gomez’s ceiling is higher than Joel Matip’s but on form, it’s hard to leave anybody out.
Tristan: I was a little disappointed not to see Oxlade-Chamberlain in the lineup, only because I know how difficult Burnley are to break down. But otherwise, I agree, everyone in that 11 is firing right now.
Reece: The biggest question mark in terms of selection under Klopp has been the midfield. Personally, I think this is our best line up. Henderson and Wijnaldum are starting to provide more going forward and Oxlade-Chamberlain is a great option off the bench.
Dropped points for United and Chelsea today, is the ability to win these types of games consistently what separates the best from the rest?
Tristan: I think so, between Liverpool and Man City, they’re just relentless to play against. That’s a big difference between this team and Rafa’s. We rarely slip up when we’re expected to win.
Ste: What separates us from the rest, bar Man City, in the Premier League, is that we are simply much, much better at football than them all, and we prove it with our consistency. We’ve got world-class players and when they play well, Liverpool are almost guaranteed to win games. Liverpool and Man City are streets ahead of the rest.
Reece: That’s the thing that has impressed me so much in the last 13 wins. The ability to grind out a win against tricky opposition isn’t always pretty, but it’s such an invaluable tool.
The first clean sheet of the season, was that the best defensive performance?
Reece: Yes, most definitely. For me, two key battles were Alexander-Arnold vs McNeil and Matip vs Barnes. They both passed the test with flying colours, I can’t remember Adrian having to make too many saves and that clean sheet will do his confidence the world of good.
Ste: Absolutely. Burnley hardly had a sniff at goal. We dealt with the high ball extremely well, mainly due to Virgil van Dijk’s heading and we stopped their wide players getting crosses in. I thought Trent Alexander-Arnold defended really well against Dwight McNeil, a player who he’s had trouble with in the past. Liverpool looked much, much more solid than in recent weeks.
Tristan: I actually thought we were really good against Arsenal playing such a high line and pressing deep, but today’s game was completely different. I’m just glad Adrian has calmed down a bit too!
13 wins in a row a Liverpool record, is this the best Liverpool team of the Premier League era?
Tristan: Best I ever saw was the 2009 team. Last year and now rolling into this year, this team is just a cut above. Goals just seem to come from everywhere, and the defence is immense.
Reece: The statistics don’t lie. This Liverpool side is head and shoulders above anything I have seen in a number of years. Imagine Stevie G in this side!
Ste: 100%. Without doubt. We’ve had really good teams in the Premier League era but this is a great team.
Another milestone this time personal: Roberto Firmino first Brazilian to 50 goals. Juninho, Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, Willian etc, is Firmino the best to grace the Premier League?
Ste: In terms of attacking players, I’d have to say yes. I’ve always had a soft spot for Gilberto Silva, who I thought was excellent for Arsenal, but in terms of goals and consistency, Firmino is the best of the attackers.
Tristan: Good shout with Gilberto Silva, because I was genuinely struggling to think of any defensive names outside of David Luiz. I’d still give Firmino the title though.
Reece: To be fair, there have been some good Brazilian PL players, but no one can touch Firmino. He’s arguably the best player in the world at what he does and it’s a joy to watch.
Sadio Mane not happy when he came off, trouble in paradise or healthy competition boiling over?
Ste: He had every right to be annoyed to be honest, Mo Salah should have passed to him on a couple of occassions and the one just before Mane came off was just selfish from the Egyptian. It’s not a great look from Mane to be kicking off like that in public view but I can sympathize with him a bit.
Reece: I assume he was upset with Salah not passing to him on a number of occasions and rightfully so. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s just healthy competition and that’s the reason he is at the top level.
Tristan: My initial reaction was he was upset with Klopp for coming off, and I thought I’m having none of that because you can’t publicly kick out at the manager like that. But with the speculation that he was upset that Salah wouldn’t pass, yeah I could understand. Ultimately, I don’t think it will be a big deal. Credit to James Milner too, he went straight over, sat with Mane and calmed the situation down.
