Liverpool 2-0 Burnley
by James Nalton
at Anfield

THERE was a familiar look to Liverpool on Saturday when goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane fired them to a 2-0 win against Burnley.

A full Anfield was key to this, as were the returning Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.

Henderson played an important part throughout the day in what was the first game in front of packed stands for 17 months.

Prior to kick-off, the Liverpool captain laid a wreath in front of the Kop in memory of Andrew Devine, the 97th victim of the Hillsborough disaster who died last month having suffered life-changing injuries on that fateful day in 1989.

At the end of the game, Henderson acknowledged all corners of the stadium after his side secured the win with their support.

He was pretty useful during the football match, too, pinging passes around the pitch and keeping Liverpool upbeat in and out of possession.

Some less familiar figures also had a first chance to forge bonds with the supporters, Harvey Elliott, in particular, shone in an attacking midfield position behind Mohamed Salah.

It was the 18-year-old’s first Premier League start, having spent last season on loan at Blackburn, and he didn’t look out of place on a bigger stage.

The bond between supporters and players was perhaps most noticeable when another new face, Kostas Tsimikas, was substituted in added time.

He was told to leave the pitch at the nearest point, which happened to be behind the goal at the Kop end.

He was given a heartwarming reception for his efforts, with fans standing to applaud as he walked around the perimeter of the field.

The left-back, deputising for the injured Andy Robertson, assisted the opening goal for Jota and was heavily involved throughout.

Liverpool wrapped up the points when a sensational move involving Van Dijk, Elliott and Trent Alexander-Arnold was finished by Mane.

“Without a crowd, it’s a totally different game,” Henderson summarised on BT Sport.

“Football was totally different last season with no crowd, not only at Anfield but in general.

“Now we’ve got the fans back, it’s a different ball game. Hopefully, we can keep our fortress and teams won’t like coming here.”