A week following a humbling 3-1 defeat to Arsenal and with several players missing through illness, great performances from squad players saw Liverpool return to winning ways against Burnley. Alisson, Joe Gomez, and Ryan Gravenberch were all missing through illness, while Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ibrahima Konate were also out.
Despite a few scares when Burnley levelled just before halftime, headers from Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez saw the Reds collect an important three points. Last Word On Sports looks at the players who stepped up in the absence of key men.
Depth Helps Liverpool Return To Winning Ways Against Burnley
Harvey Elliott
Liverpool’s super-sub was at it again against Burnley after replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at halftime. Harvey Elliott was only credited with an assist for Liverpool’s third goal, but his cross deflected onto Diaz’s head for The Red’s second.
Elliott is different from any of Jurgen Klopp’s other options, which can often see him overlooked for a starting place. He’s started just three of his 20 Premier League appearances so far this season. However, whenever the twenty-year-old is introduced from the bench, he causes problems for the opposition’s defence.
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He scored the winner from the bench when his side beat Crystal Palace back in December. He also assisted Diaz’s late equaliser against Luton in November. The midfielder has accepted his super-sub role and became a key player in it under Klopp, Maybe Liverpool’s next manager will have a bigger role for him to play.
Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher has had by far his most active season in a Liverpool shirt. At the age of twenty-five, the promise of regular game time in the Europa League probably convinced the goalkeeper to stick around as a backup keeper for one more season. 13 appearances in all competitions including three in the Premier League have given Kelleher the chance to impress potential buyers and increase his value.
The Irish goalkeeper was the subject of a late bid by Nottingham Forest in January but Liverpool rejected their approach, preferring to keep Kellher around for when Alisson is unavailable. Against Burnley, the twenty-five-year-old proved The Reds’ decision right as he helped Liverpool return to winning ways. He made an early stop to deny Zaki Amdouni from giving Burnley an early lead and then closed down David Datro Fofana excellently to stop the on-loan Chelsea striker making it 2-2 in the second-half.
Kelleher has his faults, he’s no Alisson for starters. However, he’s a great backup goalkeeper and Liverpool will do well to find a better one once he leaves the club.
Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo picked up where he left off in a red shirt as he helped Liverpool return to winning ways against Burnley. The Japanese midfielder recovered quickly from his country’s Asian Cup Quarterfinal exit to Iran and was his usual battling self in the midfield. Endo made four tackles and won nine duels as he protected a much-changed defensive unit.
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The thirty-one-year-old started eight consecutive games before leaving for the Asian Cup and now looks set to battle with the fit again Alexis Mac Allister for a starting role at the base of Liverpool’s midfield. Mac Allister started further forward against Burnley but struggled to find space.
Signed for just £16.4 million in the summer, Endo may be one of the bargains of the season. He may not have the potential of Moises Caicedo but Endo has helped Liverpool return to winning ways in all competitions this season.
