Liverpool responded to Manchester City’s brief return to the top of the Premier League table with a 3-1 win over Burnley which tested their mettle even more than their stretched resources.
Pep Guardiola’s side had overtaken their north-west rivals to reach the summit for the first time since November with victory in the lunchtime kick-off against Everton.
And while the three points re-established their two-point advantage the less-than-convincing nature of victory against the league’s next-bottom side was not quite befitting the occasion of Liverpool’s biggest league crowd of 60,725 after the full opening of the Anfield Road stand.
For a time it appeared the hosts, who due to flu in the camp were without goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez, were still suffering a hangover from the defeat at Arsenal last week.
It took the familiar right boot of Trent Alexander-Arnold, setting a new mark of 58 for Premier League assists by a defender, and the equally reliable head of Diogo Jota to get them out of first gear but even then it was far from a return to normality.
The sloppy concession of an equaliser to Dara O’Shea on the stroke of half-time posed further problems as did the withdrawal of Alexander-Arnold – only recently returned from a knee injury – at half-time.
But it was the England international’s replacement Harvey Elliott who set up goals for Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez to ease the pressure.
However, had on-loan Chelsea forward David Fofana been as clinical as he was scoring twice last weekend then not only would Liverpool still be looking up at City but questions would have started to be asked about their ability to match their long-time rivals blow-for-blow.
They do have Mohamed Salah and Dominic Szoboszlai to return from injury in the next couple of weeks but having negotiated January without the pair it was imperative they regained their momentum after their Emirates setback.
For 25 minutes it looked a struggle with Caoimhin Kelleher required to be out quickly to block Zeki Amdouni’s shot as early as the 10th minute as Klopp’s side struggled to find any rhythm.
Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones both fired rising shots over until, just past the half-hour, the breakthrough came when Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford misjudged the flight of a corner and Jota headed in his fifth goal in six games.
But O’Shea produced a better header from 12 yards from Josh Brownhill’s corner, outjumping Wataru Endo, now back from the Asian Cup, to power the ball past Kelleher.
Jones moved to right-back to fill in for Alexander-Arnold at the start of the second half but within seven minutes Elliott had made his first significant contribution when his low cross took a deflection off Maxime Esteve and allowing a stooping Diaz to nod in at the near post.
But although playing better they still looked far from secure and Kelleher made a huge save in the 64th minute in a one-on-one against Fofana, with Wilson Odobert blazing over the rebound, before the Burnley forward steered a shot wide of the far post with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Visiting sides rarely get the chance to squander such chances and after Jota had a shot tipped around the post, Jarell Quansah volleyed wide and Virgil van Dijk headed at Trafford it was left to Nunez to apply the finishing touch when he flicked a header inside the far post from Elliott’s cross.
The Uruguay international had a chance to make the scoreline more flattering in added time but, typically, shot straight at Trafford.
Ronaldo hails 'incredible' Nadal as King of Clay announces retirement
Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Rafael Nadal as an "incredible" inspiration to millions around the world after the King of Clay announced he will retire from tennis next month.
Having struggled with injuries throughout the last couple of years, 22-time grand slam champion Nadal confirmed 2024 will be his final year on the ATP Tour on Thursday.
Nadal will call time on his glittering career after November's Davis Cup finals in Malaga, where he will feature for a Spain team also containing four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Only Margaret Court, Novak Djokovic (24 each) and Serena Williams (23) have won more grand slam singles titles than Nadal in tennis history (22), with his 14 triumphs at the French Open a record for titles won at a single major.
He posted a video explaining his decision to bow out to his social media channels on Thursday, saying he had been playing with "limitations" for the last two years.
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was among the first to react to the news, commenting on Nadal's Instagram post: "Rafa, what an incredible race you've had!
"Your dedication, passion and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world.
"It has been an honour to witness your journey and to be able to call you a friend. Congrats on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!"
Man Utd's Mazraoui sidelined after undergoing heart surgery
Manchester United full-back Noussair Mazraoui will be absent for several weeks after undergoing a minor heart procedure.
Mazraoui joined United from Bayern Munich in a deal worth an initial £12.8million (€15m) in August and has quickly established himself as the Red Devils' first-choice right-back.
He has started all seven of their Premier League games this season, with Erik ten Hag's men taking just eight points to record their worst-ever start to a campaign in the competition.
On Monday, he withdrew from Morocco's squad for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Central African Republic, having experienced heart palpitations.
Widespread reports on Thursday then said Mazraoui had successfully undergone a corrective procedure and would return within a few weeks.
Mazraoui was withdrawn at half-time in United's goalless draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, with Harry Maguire also replaced at the interval.
Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are long-term absentees, meanwhile, leaving Ten Hag's men short in defence ahead of their return to action against Brentford on October 19.
Barbados, Belize win League C groups to earn promotion
Barbados and Belize sealed promotion as League C resumed in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League on Wednesday.
Saint Kitts and Nevis earned a victory to maintain its group lead to also improve to a 3-0-0 record. The victory assures the nation at least a spot in the Play-In round.
British Virgin Islands vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis won 3-1 against the British Virgin Islands in Group C at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Malique Roberts scored the opening goal in the 25' with a header in the box to connect on a free kick service.
Gvaune Amory increased the lead for the Sugar Boyz in the 37' with a right-footed hit inside the penalty area, connecting on a pass over the top by Raheem Hanley.
Kristian Javier Samuel cut the deficit for the British Virgin Islands in the 46' with a right-footed hit from the top of the box.
Ikyjah Williams accidentally hit the ball into his own net in the 90'+5, striking a deflection off a ball into the box from Romaine Sawyers for a third goal for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The result seals a qualification to the Play-In round for Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Sugar Boyz can win the group without playing if the Cayman Islands fails to win against the British Virgin Islands on Saturday.
U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Barbados
Barbados won 5-nil against the U.S. Virgin Islands in Group A at the Wildey Astro Turf Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Hadan Holligan struck the opening goal in the 42' with a right-footed finish to place Barbados in the lead before the end of the first half.
Niall Reid-Stephen extended the lead for Barbados in the 45'+2 with a conversion from a penalty kick opportunity.
Reid-Stephen scored on the other side of halftime, with a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 47', securing a brace in consecutive matches.
The Barbados scorer struck with his left again, from a free kick chance in the 65', to earn his hat-trick.
Omani Leacock scored inside the penalty area in the 90'+2 to put a bow on the victory for the Tridents.
Kishmar Primus made four saves as he collected his second clean sheet of the campaign.
The victory clinched the top of the group, and a return to League B, for Barbados.
Anguilla vs. Belize
Belize won 1-nil against Anguilla in Group B at FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.
Orlando Velasquez broke the deadlock in the 56' with a strike inside the box, connecting on a pass from Krisean López.
The Belize defense, led by goalkeeper and captain Charles Tillett, earned its third clean sheet and have yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
With the victory, Belize assured itself a first-place finish in the group and promotion to League B.
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