Liverpool, January 1: Ragnar Klavan proved Liverpool's saviour as his stoppage-time header capped a dramatic finale to secure a 2-1 win at Burnley on Monday.
The Reds were shorn of two members of their 'fab four' at a sodden Turf Moor, with Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah missing while Roberto Firmino started on the bench as Jurgen Klopp sought to manage his resources amid a hectic festive schedule.
6️⃣ points in 4️⃣8️⃣ hours. https://t.co/gldcAQZPLt pic.twitter.com/ZtdNabc8EC
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2018
Coutinho's absence sparked further speculation surrounding his potential move to Barcelona although Klopp insisted the Brazilian had been ruled out with a thigh injury.
Salah, who scored twice in Saturday's 2-1 win over Leicester City to take his Premier League tally to 17, was missing with a groin problem although Liverpool described both his and Coutinho's ailments as "minor" with the Reds due to welcome fierce rivals Everton to Anfield in the FA Cup third round on Friday.
Well played @Alex_OxChambo. Your @carlsberg Man of the Match 👏 pic.twitter.com/GfOFlj8GH9
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2018
Sadio Mane's stunning finish just past the hour put Liverpool ahead but it looked as though Burnley had secured a share of the spoils when Johann Gudmundsson stooped to head in at the far post in the 87th minute.
But in the fourth minute of time added on, Dejan Lovren headed back across goal and Klavan raced in to nod home from practically on the goalline and ensure Liverpool were not left to rue their key absentees.
GET IN!!!!
[1-2] pic.twitter.com/NJXSEL5vXi
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2018
"YES, IT'S THERE!!"
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2018
🔊 Turn that sound on and relive #BURLIV in a minute 🔊 pic.twitter.com/c83FHS9Oeg
In Leicester, two instances of individual brilliance from Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani helped Leicester City to a 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the King Power Stadium, ending the hosts' four-match winless run.
Leicester struggled over the festive period and went into 2018 on the back of successive league defeats, but Mahrez and Slimani scored excellent goals early in the second half to stop the rot in their first New Year's Day home game since 2013, when they beat Huddersfield 6-1 in the Championship.
Marc Albrighton, who provided the assist for Mahrez's opener, added a third late on, after Adrien Silva had been introduced for his belated Leicester debut.
7 - Riyad Mahrez has scored seven goals in 22 Premier League appearances this season, one more than he netted in 36 games in 2016-17. Reboot. pic.twitter.com/Ocor50Z53d
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 1, 2018
Other results
Brighton 2 - 2 Bournemouth
Stoke City 0 - 1 Newcastle United
Source: OPTA