Burnley 2 Liverpool 0: Sam Vokes and Andre Gray net in the first half to stun Reds at Turf Moor
BURNLEY stunned Liverpool 2-0 at Turf Moor to get their hands on their first points of the Premier League season.
Sean Dyche's Clarets got off to a flyer, netting in only the second minute thanks to a Sam Vokes strike, with the Welshman netting after a dreadful error from Nathaniel Clyne.
The home side then doubled their lead approaching half-time, as Andre Gray's left-footed, low drive beat Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
From there, the Reds dominated, but the Burnley bus was firmly parked and despite hoarding possession, Jurgen Klopp and Co were forced to accept a frustrating defeat.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- LIVERPOOL had fans reaching for sunglasses despite the rainy conditions as they unveiled their bright yellow third strip – aptly named Toxic Thunder.
- THE ‘light show’ got worse with the subs wearing vivid orange tops over their shirts. Must have been a sale of high visibility clothing.
- SEAN DYCHE was a clear winner in the fashion stakes, sticking with his favourite white shirt and tie combo despite the rain squalls.
- DYCHE was not so cool as he berated the fourth official Kevin Friend when Dean Marney’s meaty tackle on Georginio Wijnaldum resulted in a free kick.
- BURNLEY fans were more disappointed than their opposite numbers when they learned former Clarets striker Danny Ings was not even on the bench.
- EVERY time a Liverpool player shot wide, - which happened regularly - the home fans let loose with chants of “You’re not Danny Ings”.
- THE stadium announcer cleverly kept Steven Defour’s name for last, guaranteeing the £7.5million record signing a huge cheer.
- SAM VOKES’ shot of the turn goal revived memories of Wales team-mate Hal Robson-Kanu’s sensational strike against Belgium at Euro 2016.
- THAT was Vokes’ first top flight goal – in his 28th Premier League appearance.
- IT was also Burnley’s first Prem goal against Liverpool in five attempts – not how Simon Mignolet wanted to remember his 200th top flight outing.
- ANDRE GRAY'S 37th minute strike meant Burnley had already doubled the one goal haul from their first six Premier League games two seasons ago.
- AT 2-0, Clarets fans taunted Jamie Carragher – doing live commentary from the TV gantry – with chants of “Jamie, Jamie, what’s the score?”
- CARRAGHER played to the crowd once he was able to put his microphone down, throwing his arms wide and pretending he did not know the scoreline.
- JURGEN KLOPP re-appeared several minutes before his players at half time. He must have been speechless.
- THE former Liverpool defender had some unusual company – a cat ran onto the gantry just before kick off.
- DEFOUR'S debut lasted just 56 minutes, but he did manage an assist for Gray’s goal.
- DANIEL STURRIDGE lasted just eight minutes longer on his latest return from injury. And be contributed practically nothing.
BIG PICTURE
Next five fixtures
BURNLEY
Aug 24 - Accrington Stanley (A) - LC
Aug 27 - Chelsea (A) - PL
Sep 10 - Hull (H) - PL
Sep 17 - Leicester (A) - PL
Sep 26 - Watford (H) - PL
LIVERPOOL
Aug 23 - Burton (A) - LC
Aug 27 - Tottenham (A) - PL
Sep 10 - Leicester (H) - PL
Sep 16 - Chelsea (A) - PL
Sep 24 - Hull (H) - PL