Liverpool's win over Burnley gives Jurgen Klopp essential £100m boost for Newcastle clash

Liverpool's win over Burnley gives Jurgen Klopp essential £100m boost for Newcastle clash

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 26/12/2023

- 19:28

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Burnley on Boxing Day.

Liverpool were made to work at Turf Moor for all three points, but Jurgen Klopp's side got the job done to move top of the Premier League with the Reds boss able to finally give one of his star man a long rest.

Liverpool were left disappointed at picking up just two points from home games against Manchester United and Arsenal in recent weeks.


Their free-flowing attacking unit had appeared to run out of steam in both games and Klopp felt the match against Burnley was a chance to drastically change his line-up.

Diogo Jota's long-awaited return was welcomed, but Klopp also named Dominik Szoboszlai on the bench for the first time in the league this season.

Liverpool moved top of the table

Liverpool moved top of the table

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Liverpool's No 8 enjoyed an instant impact at Anfield when he signed from RB Leipzig and was being heralded for transforming Klopp's midfield.

The major overhaul to Liverpool's midfield unit this past summer was a long time coming with Klopp lacking an attacking option to cut in between the lines.

Szoboszlai instantly provided Liverpool with that as someone capable of carrying the ball and breaking in between lines.

But the Hungary international has been out of form in recent weeks and Klopp opted to give the summer signing a much-needed first rest of the league campaign.

Harvey Elliott was given the nod in Szoboszlai's place and did enough to show that he's capable of stepping in when needed.

The young England starlet was also unlucky to have his goal ruled out after Jordan Beyer shoved Mohamed Salah to stand in an offside position.

Liverpool also had a goal ruled out in the first half, which made their victory a lot tougher than it needed to be.

With the score still at 1-0 approaching the final stages of the game, Klopp opted to throw on Szoboszlai and Jota to try and make sure of the win.

Dominik Szoboszlai was given his first rest in the league

Dominik Szoboszlai was given his first rest in the league

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Taking Szoboszlai, who cost Liverpool £60million from RB Leipzig, out of the firing line and giving him a rest could be vital for Klopp in the long run.

But having Jota back fit and ready, who cost the Reds £40m three years ago, now makes Liverpool even more lethal in front of goal than they usually are.

It's a testament to the squad depth at Klopp's disposal that he's able to rest a player like Szoboszlai without losing too much spark in midfield.

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Diogo Jota marked his return with a goal

Diogo Jota marked his return with a goal

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And even if Jota isn't fit enough to start for a few weeks, he instantly gives Liverpool a different kind of threat off the bench.

And having both players completely recharged for the match against an out-of-form Newcastle side on New Year's Day will give Klopp huge confidence of starting 2024 with a bang.

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