The Senegal international found the back of the net twice to match two club records at Anfield on Sunday Sadio Mane has become the 56th player to score 50 goals for Liverpool with his brace in their 4-1 win over Burnley. The 26-year-old joins Egypt’s Mohamed Salah in the elite list of players to have reached the goals milestone with his efforts in each half of Sunday’s Premier League encounter. Article continues below Mane gave Jurgen Klopp's men a first-half lead in the 29th minute after Roberto Firmino's 19th-minute effort cancelled out Ashley Westwood's opener for the visitors. After the restart, Firmino extended the dominance with his second goal in the 67th minute before Mane wrapped up the win with his 16th league goal of the season shortly after Johaan Gudmundsson pulled a goal back for Burnley in the stoppage time. Sunday’s efforts at Anfield makes the Senegalese star the fifth Liverpool player to score in six consecutive Premier League home appearances after Michael Owen, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Mohamed Salah. 5 - Sadio Mane has become the fifth Liverpool player to score in six consecutive Premier League home appearances, after Michael Owen, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Mohamed Salah. Famous. #LIVBUR — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 10, 2019 Salah was in action for the entire for 90 minutes but was unable to end his goal drought while Guinea’s Naby Keita was introduced as a 77th-minute substitute. Liverpool are now a point adrift of Manchester City with 73 points from 30 games and the African stars will be looking to help the Reds when they visit Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the return leg of their Uefa Champions League round of 16 fixture.<doc-sep>Who do Liverpool need to sign to re-claim the title? Keep up with all the Reds news with our free daily newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Liverpool showed nerve and character to respond to an awful start at Anfield with a Mo Salah-inspired comeback. The Reds were furious when Burnley took an early lead through a corner from Ashley Westwood that flew directly into the net after keeper Alisson was impeded by James Tarkowski. But they responded in the best possible way by hitting back through two goals from Roberto Firmino – both tap ins after good work from Salah – and a fine first-time finish from Sadio Mane. Johann Gudmundsson pulled a goal back in injury time but Mane added a fourth for Liverpool to ensure Manchester City's lead at the top of the Premier League is reduced to one point. Here are our five talking points from Anfield... 1. Liverpool show bottle All the talk in recent weeks has been of Liverpool somehow 'bottling' a Premier League season in which they have lost one game and stand one point behind the record-breaking Champions who are arguably the best team the competition has ever seen. The questions seem to have centred on their form and spirit. So going a goal down to a tough Burnley side in appalling weather conditions really was a test for them - and one which they passed with flying colours. The Reds played brilliantly at times, and showed real hunger and desire to overturn that deficit. It augers well for the title run-in. (Image: PA) 2. Weather warning No analysis of this game can ignore the weather conditions, even if it's likely to induce a nervous break-down in those rather keen Klopp-watchers who believe he's obsessed with it. It was mad at Anfield, going from balmy heat to freezing armageddon in a matter of seconds. It ever the Reds manager was justified in using it as an excuse, then it was on a day which showed just how dangerous global warming has become to this planet. (Image: Getty Images) 3. Lallana justifies start On social media before the game, you'd have thought Jurgen Klopp had committed an unspeakable crime, such was the hysterical reaction to his selection of Adam Lallana in the starting line up. Yet the first half showed it was a wise, mature decision from the manager. Lallana's energy in the press was vital to Liverpool, giving them an important momentum. He showed courage in his play, and Klopp showed courage in selecting him. (Image: Action Images via Reuters) 4. Forget VAR, just find clued-up refs No doubt after Burnley's opening goal and that shocking effort from the officials at the Etihad on Saturday evening (when they clearly didn't actually know the rules they are employed to apply) there will be yet more calls for VAR. Yet how about this for a revolutionary idea - get officials who know the rules and can apply them? It's actually not that difficult. Anyone could see Alisson was impeded here, and everyone at City knew Sterling was offside. Our referees aren't good enough, so use some of the vast wealth from the game to train up better ones. (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images) 5. Salah responds in style There has seemed a crisis of faith in Mo Salah in recent weeks, from the wider football public in general, and even from Liverpool fans in particular. Yet here against Burnley he showed appetite and desire for the game, and created so many problems for Burnley. In fact, you wondered why the visiting side were so respectful of him, because the space they gave to the Reds talisman was a key factor in the game. He was slaughtered for his display at Everton last weekend, but on another day would have scored three. That shows he's still making the runs and still has belief – a fact confirmed here.<doc-sep>The four seasons of Liverpool. Anfield was bathed in sunshine half an hour before kick-off. Five minutes into the game, the skies had darkened and the gloom descended, as Burnley took the lead through a goal which should not have stood. Then came the wind, the rain and the hail as Liverpool unleashed at their opponent. It felt like a biblical statement. By the break, they led – and the light and warmth of before had returned. By the end, with Liverpool’s domination reflected by the scoreline, so had the optimism. This was a day the strange weather matched the mood of the afternoon for Liverpool, whose performance nevertheless suggested they are ready to deal with the emotional challenge of creeping up behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race. The gap is narrowed again to just one point and perhaps being in pursuit of the top rather than being chased suits Liverpool best. A surprising element of their victory was Adam Lallana’s part. The midfielder’s display was easily one of the best by any Liverpool midfielder this season, full of twists and turns; zeal and creativity. The last two years have not been kind to him, with injury meaning he has not played any significant role in Liverpool’s emergence into a domestic and European force. His substitute appearance in last season’s Champions League final represented how far Liverpool had travelled without him but as he toiled in the heat of Kiev, it felt like a conformation this Liverpool team had passed him by. Lallana will be 31 years old a couple of months from now but his influence here reminded he is not finished, with Jurgen Klopp’s decision to include him ahead of Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson justified. Lallana, indeed, did a lot of the things Keita was brought in to do but insofar hasn’t really been able to. It felt like the last two years had not actually happened. Like at Turf Moor in December, Liverpool would fall behind to Burnley but recover. Yet the manner and timing of Burnley’s opener fired up Liverpool and the Anfield crowd. Ashley Westwood’s beautiful arcing corner went straight in but James Tarkowski had pulled Alisson Becker down and the Brazilian was furious, earning a booking. Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Show all 22 1 /22 Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Alisson - 6 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Virgil van Dijk - 7 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Joel Matip - 5 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Andy Robertson - 7 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Fabinho - 6 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Georginio Wijnaldum - 7 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Adam Lallana - 8 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Mohamed Salah - 6 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Roberto Firmino - 8 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Sadio Mané - 8 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Tom Heaton - 4 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Phil Bardsley - 5 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley James Tarkowski - 5 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Ben Mee - 6 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Charlie Taylor - 6 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Jeff Hendrick - 5 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Ashley Westwood 6 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Jack Cork - 7 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Dwight McNeil - 8 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Chris Wood - 6 Getty Player ratings from Liverpool vs Burnley Ashley Barnes - 6 Getty With that burning sense of injustice, Anfield and Liverpool growled. Both of the first half goals that followed involved Lallana, who showed vision in finding Mohamed Salah for the equaliser and then determination to block a clearance by Phil Bardsley for the second. While Salah’s cross slipped through the zone of uncertainty between goalkeeper and defence, allowing Roberto Firmino to score, Salah may have been fouled by Tarkowski when Liverpool took the lead through Sadio Mane’s brilliant finish. Tarkowski, indeed, had been involved in each of the three first half goals because he was the defender who had failed to deal with Salah’s assist when Liverpool made it 1-1. Westwood's corner went straight into the Liverpool net to give Burnley the lead (Reuters) Burnley, dressed all in white, were not Real Madrid - or maybe, in some current way, they were. But that is not a criticism. Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip were in a game because of the strength and mobility of Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood. Their presence in a two-man attack, however, left Liverpool gaps further up the pitch. For all of their sprightliness and for all of their control, it was only when Tom Heaton hashed a goalkick that Liverpool were able to extend their lead. In a swirling sky, Salah did well to take ownership of the ball and race away but he did hesitate and this gave Charlie Taylor the opportunity to tackle him. Firmino, though, was there to mop up in front of the Kop. With thoughts drifting towards what might happen in Munich on Wednesday night, there were two more goals in injury time. The first came from Burnley – forced in by the substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Liverpool realised they still had a little bit to do and with Burnley committing men forward, Daniel Sturridge – another substitute – found Mane with a pass and by rounding Heaton, his goal gave a fairer reflection of what had happened.<doc-sep>At a moment in the season when every action and statement is forensically observed and studied by rivals, Jurgen Klopp was not going to miss his opportunity. “The message is no-one gets rid of us if we play like this,” said the Liverpool manager. He was speaking to reporters but might as well have been pointing directly at Pep Guardiola. Liverpool had beaten Burnley 4-2, overcoming the concession of an early goal direct from a corner. On such freakish setbacks ending title bids, opposition chants have been composed and recited for years. The amusement and enthusiasm for Manchester City supporters – and anyone else hoping for an Anfield stumble – after Ashley’s Westwood’s set-piece beat Alisson was short-lived. Liverpool reacted assuredly, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino scoring two apiece. Klopp later declared Mohamed Salah man-of-the-match, easing the Egyptian’s disappointment having failed to match Alan Shearer’s 50 Premier League goals for one club in record time. The point gap is back to one. More importantly, Liverpool were close to their best to negotiate one of those notoriously hazardous home fixtures – the sedate noon kick-offs not known for quickening the pulse. The wind was howling, too. After being mocked for a weather report at Goodison Park last week, Klopp wisely ignored the elements, especially as they played a role in Liverpool’s third when Tom Heaton’s clearance was caught in a gale.<doc-sep>
PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images Liverpool beat Burnley 4-2 at Anfield on Sunday to move within a point of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. In windy conditions, Burnley went ahead early on in bizarre circumstances, as Ashley Westwood's corner evaded everyone in the area and went straight in. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker could feel hard done by, as he appeared to be fouled while trying to reach the ball. However, the Reds responded well, with Roberto Firmino and then Sadio Mane capitalising on defensive errors from the visitors to put the Reds in front before half time. In the second period Liverpool were able to extend their advantage further, with Firmino on hand to prod home from close range after more sloppy play from Burnley. A late goal from the Clarets' Johann Berg Gudmundsson threatened to make it a nervy finish, though Mane was on hand again late on to ease any tension. The loss means the Clarets remain entrenched in a relegation battle, as they're just two points clear of the drop zone. Marvellous Mane Will Fire Reds to Title Video Play Button Videos you might like Despite losing top spot to City last weekend, there's reason for Liverpool supporters to be positive about their title chances still. One of those is the form of Mane. The Senegal international has hit his stride in recent weeks, providing the Reds' most likely source of goals. Against Burnley he put Liverpool ahead, seizing on a loose ball and bending a precise first-time effort past Tom Heaton. Here's the goal in question, which was Mane's 15th of the Premier League season (not available in the United States): The goal ensured the Senegal international continued his excellent run at Anfield, emulating some other iconic Liverpool forwards: He later went on to score his 16th of the campaign, rounding the goalkeeper as Burnley pushed for an equaliser. At the moment, Mane looks like the man most likely to make things happen in the final third and he's clearly especially comfortable on home soil. With matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea still to come at Anfield this season for Liverpool, that's a positive sign. With Mane at his best, and with Liverpool just a point behind City and having an easier fixture list, the signs are still promising for the Reds in their title chase. Lallana Deserves Run After Shining in Surprise Recall Liverpool supporters have been calling for a shakeup in the team's midfield in recent weeks, with Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri the men many wanted to add another attacking edge to the XI. With that in mind, there was surprise when Lallana was named in the team. Prior to the game, Lallana had only made three Premier League starts this term, but in this encounter he turned in his best display of the campaign. From central midfield he was a driving force for the Reds, carrying the ball into dangerous areas and harrying Burnley defenders. In the buildup to the second goal, Lallana won possession high up the pitch to trigger panic in the opposition defence. David Lynch of the Evening Standard noted the 30 year old had proved plenty of doubters wrong: Christ Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph thinks Lallana can play a big part in the run-in: It would be a shock if Lallana got the nod for Liverpool in midweek when they face Bayern Munich, although against Fulham next weekend the extra creativity he offers could be crucial. For now, he's deservedly ahead of the likes of Keita and Shaqiri in the pecking order. What's Next? Liverpool's attentions will now turn to the UEFA Champions League, as they face Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday. Burnley are back in action in the Premier League at home to Leicester City next Saturday.