Liverpool set for perfect boost as squad truth clear after new injury blows

Rumours can’t deny Liverpool truth

The whispers that had spread like wildfire across Merseyside on Saturday morning were proven correct. But, for Jurgen Klopp, it was just another complication on top of an already existing headache.

When Alisson Becker joined Joe Gomez in being struck down by the flu that has been working its way through the Liverpool squad this week, it meant Klopp was shorn of nine first-team players for this visit of Burnley.

But the ongoing challenge for silverware on four fronts has been forged on the strength of the squad. When players have been called upon, they have almost always delivered.

That was the case again at a record-breaking Anfield as the Reds ultimately responded to the disappointment of rare defeat at Arsenal last weekend to drag themselves back to the Premier League summit.

What Jurgen Klopp did differently at full-time as Liverpool send message to Man City

Liverpool player ratings vs Burnley as Harvey Elliott outstanding and two others very good

Alisson’s illness meant only a third Premier League start of the season for Caoimhin Kelleher. And while eventual comfortable winners, Liverpool were twice indebted to timely interventions from the Republic of Ireland international.

As the Reds began slowly, Kelleher had to block bravely at the feet of Zeki Amdouni. Better, though, was his stop early in the second half when faced one-on-one by David Datro Fofana. It was a save of which Alisson, the market leader in such duels, would have been proud.

In front of Kelleher, the absence of Gomez along with the suspended Ibrahima Konate meant Jarell Quansah was afforded only a fourth-ever Premier League start. And, one unwise first-half tackle that resulted in a booking aside, the 21-year-old