Raheem Sterling gives Liverpool slender 1-0 win at Burnley

Burnley started the far brighter of the two teams, and Ings almost gave the hosts a deserved lead as he received a throw before spinning on the spot and firing a low effort which hammered back off the near post.

Brad Jones was nowhere near the striker’s effort, and it soon became apparent the goalkeeper was not completely comfortable, coming off with a thigh injury moments later to be replaced by the much-scrutinised Simon Mignolet.

The hosts continued to press, and Ashley Barnes headed over after setting a sweeping move going, finding Dean Marney out wide before meeting the return ball to put it over the crossbar.

Both Dean Marney and George Boyd fired efforts over as Burnley tried to make their possession and territory count, but they could not find a way through before the break.Dyche’s men went close once more 10 minutes before the break as they won a corner, and Arfield met a Liverpool clearance to volley a low effort which just deflected wide off the outstretched foot of Lucas.

Their pressure continued, albeit with less intensity, in the early stages of the second half, but the sucker punch came on 63 minutes as Liverpool moved in front.

The hosts looked dejected and struggled to fashion another decent chance to level matters, as Liverpool started to keep the ball with more authority.Philippe Coutinho flicked on Lucas's header forward, and Sterling raced on to the ball beyond the defence, rounding Heaton before firing the ball low into the empty net to give the visitors a surprise lead.

Coutinho fired a deflected effort wide inside the final 20 minutes, before substitute Rickie Lambert had the ball in the back of the net with a wonderful first-time shot, but the striker was denied a goal as the flag went up.

Burnley continued to press as Vokes was given his first appearance in nine months, but Dyche's men ran out of steam as Liverpool held firm during the latter stages and gave Rodgers a much-needed victory.