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A convincing display by Liverpool at Turf Moor saw them secure a comfortable 3-0 win over Burnley away from home.
The deposed Premier League champions came into Wednesday's game knowing that anything other than a victory might not have been enough for their top-four ambitions.
Jurgen Klopp made only one change to the side that saw off West Brom last weekend, with Gini Wijnaldum coming in for Curtis Jones in midfield. The hosts welcomed fans to Turf Moor for the first time in over a year.
A dominant first-half display saw Liverpool control proceedings. However, they were let down by poor finishing, with Thiago Alcantara, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Nathaniel Phillips all spurning very good chances.
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Burnley sought to catch their opponents out on the counter and came close through Chris Wood and Dwight McNeil.
Just when it seemed like the sides would go into the break level, Roberto Firmino showed great composure and technique to score after being found by Andrew Robertson.
The second half started in the best way possible for Liverpool after Nat Phillips rose highest to head home Sadio Mane's cross into the box. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then stepped off the bench to make sure of the result with his first goal of the season.
The victory made it nine games unbeaten in the league for Liverpool, with their last four games ending in a win. Meanwhile, Burnley have now gone 10 home games without a victory in the Premier League.
Here are five talking points from the game.
#5 Liverpool take a giant step towards UEFA Champions League qualification
Leicester City's 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Tuesday opened up a world of opportunities for Liverpool to reclaim the initiative in the Premier League top-four race.
A victory for the Reds at Turf Moor would have put their fate in their hands for a top-four finish.
For most of the game, it looked like the Anfield outfit would pay the price for their profligacy in front of goal, but an improved second-half display saw them secure an important win.
With the win, Liverpool climbed into the top four for the first time since February and are now in control of their destiny.
The emphatic nature of the victory further boosts their cause, as they now hold a +4 goal difference ahead of Leicester City.
#4 Roberto Firmino continues fine run against Burnley
Roberto Firmino has played a key role in Liverpool's transformation over the last few years. However, the Brazil international has faced a lot of criticism for his low numbers in front of goal.
The 29-year-old came into Wednesday's encounter having scored just eight goals from 34 league games this season, and this is hardly impressive for a player leading Liverpool's line.
Despite his struggles in front of goal, Firmino's abilities are not in question, and he brought that to the fore with his well-taken opener against Burnley.
The goal means that the former Hoffenheim man has now scored in his last three games at Turf Moor while also bringing his record against the Clarets to five goals in nine games.
#3 Impressive Nat Phillips steps up at both ends
The long-term injuries sustained by Liverpool defensive regulars Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez saw Nathaniel Phillips called upon more frequently than might have been the case.
Indeed, the former Bolton Wanderers academy player had been close to joining Swansea City on loan last summer before the deal ultimately fell through.
Despite the unexpected prominence in Liverpool's starting lineup, the 24-year-old has adapted effortlessly. He put on another fine showing at Turf Moor against Burnley.
Phillips was instrumental in keeping Liverpool's clean sheet intact and made a crucial goalline clearance when the hosts were in the ascendancy.
His biggest contribution, however, came at the other end when he scored his first goal for Liverpool to help them obtain a more convincing lead.
#2 Mo Salah squanders opportunity to go clear in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot
Mo Salah has arguably been Liverpool's most consistent player this season, with the Egypt international not suffering from the drop in form that afflicted most of his teammates.
The 28-year-old came into this clash neck-and-neck with Harry Kane on 22 goals in the race to win the Premier League Golden Boot.
The Tottenham Hotspur man drew blanks in his side's tame 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on home soil earlier in the day, leaving the coast clear for Salah to overtake him on the scorers' chart.
This, however, did not happen, with the Liverpool number 11 missing his shooting boots, despite getting several opportunities.
In the first half, Salah blazed over the bar from eight yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat. Considering his immense ability, it was a big miss by the former Chelsea man, and he will be hoping that it does not cost him in his quest for a third Golden Boot.
#1 On another day, Liverpool might have paid the price for their profligacy
Liverpool have struggled to see out games in recent weeks and needed last-gasp heroics from their goalkeeper against West Brom on Sunday.
The Reds need not have waited so long to get a winner as they fashioned enough chances at the Hawthorns to win two matches. However, their ineffectiveness in front of goal saw them needing the record-breaking Alisson to spare their blushes in the 95th minute.
It was more of the same against Burnley and despite eventually racing into a three-goal victory, the recent indecisiveness in attack is sure to be a cause for concern for Jurgen Klopp.
