Burnley vs Liverpool. Premier League.
Turf MoorAttendance21,313.
Sunday 21 August 2016 00:56, UK
Burnley opened their Premier League account for the season as strikes Sam Vokes and Andre Gray secured a 2-0 victory against Liverpool at Turf Moor.
Sean Dyche's side, who lost their opening game of the season to Swansea, were in front after just two minutes thanks to Vokes' powerful opener.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 37th minute and it was Vokes' strike partner, Gray, whose right-footed finish left Simon Mignolet with no chance.
Liverpool, who were without the injured Sadio Mane, attracted plenty of plaudits for their opening weekend victory against Arsenal but Jurgen Klopp's side put in a lacklustre performance at Turf Moor, struggling to create anything of note.
But it was Burnley's afternoon as they claimed their first win over Liverpool at home in the league since 1973.
Dyche made one change to the side that lost 1-0 on the opening day, bringing in club record signing Steven Defour into the starting 11 for David Jones.
And Burnley made their intentions clear in just the second minute, pressing high with Gray winning the ball back deep in the Liverpool half. Gray then picked out Vokes, who turned on the edge of the penalty area before picking out the corner of the net with an excellent right-footed finish to give the hosts the perfect start.
It was a very lacklustre opening from Liverpool, who brought in Daniel Sturridge and James Milner for Alberto Moreno and the injured Mane.
Klopp's men were dominating possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances with Philippe Coutinho missing the target and Adam Lallana failing to trouble Tom Heaton.
Sturridge was next to go close, curling a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area inches wide as the frustration continued to build for the visitors.
Burnley continued to look a threat on the break with the pace of Gray up front and they doubled their advantage in the 37th minute and it was Defour, who started things off for the hosts.
The £8m signing for Anderlecht, won the ball from Robert Klavan in the middle of the park before driving to the edge of the penalty area and releasing Gray. The Burnley striker cut back inside past Jordan Henderson and Klavan before picking out the bottom corner to score his first Premier League goal.
After the break Liverpool were restricted to long range efforts as Coutinho struck wide and Roberto Firminho forced Heaton into an excellent save.
Coutinho again sliced wide in the 58th minute as Liverpool's frustrations continued. Burnley, by contrast, were more efficient and clinical with the ball, and patient, tenacious and committed without it.
Liverpool had 81 per cent possession and attempted 26 shots, but Heaton was rarely troubled.
Marko Grujic, a late substitute for Lallana, forced Heaton into his first real save in the 79th minute but in the end Burnley ran out comfortable winners.
Player ratings
Burnley: Heaton (7), Lowton (7), Keane (7), Mee (8), Ward (7), Arfield (7), Defour (7), Marney (7), Boyd (7), Vokes (8), Gray (8).
Subs: Jutkiewicz (6), O'Neill (N/A), Gudmundsson (6).
Liverpool: Mignolet (6), Clyne (6), Lovren (6), Klavan (5), Milner (5), Henderson (6), Wijnaldum (6), Lallana (7), Firmino (6), Coutinho (6), Sturridge (5).
Subs: Origi (6), Moreno (6), Grujic (6).
Man of the Match: Andre Gray
