Burnley 0 Arsenal 1: Raheem Sterling has learned his lesson, admits Brendan Rodgers

Sterling rounded Tom Heaton to score - something he couldn't do at Old Trafford

(Getty Images)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits both his side and Raheem Sterling showed they had learned lessons in the 1-0 win at Burnley.

After a woeful first half, when they lost goalkeeper Brad Jones to a thigh injury meaning a recall for the recently-dropped Simon Mignolet, they improved and won the match through Sterling's 62nd-minute goal.

Having watched the Reds dominate Arsenal but only draw at the weekend, Rodgers admitted the team found another way to play and win and he was also impressed by the way Sterling, criticised a fortnight ago for missing a host of chances at Manchester United, delivered the killer blow.

"We had to show a different side to us, different types of qualities to what we showed against Arsenal and Bournemouth," said the Liverpool manager.

"We didn't play too well in the first half but we defended well, got our blocks in, stopped crosses and it didn't come into the box. I thought in terms of our character and resilience in the game we showed outstanding qualities when needed.

"There weren't many chances but the one clear one that came to us we put it away. We deserved three points for the character we showed."

On Sterling's effort in rounding goalkeeper Tom Heaton, having failed against David de Gea from a similar situation at Old Trafford, Rodgers added: "It showed what a great learner he is.

"He is in a position now where he will receive a lot of opportunities in that kind of situation because of his pace.

"His pace will take him away from anyone and since that game he has gone away with the coaches and worked on that type of finish, both left side and right side.

"He showed great composure and a great ability to learn, to beat the keeper and finished it really well.

"His development and ability to want to be better has got us the three points."

Rodgers also had praise for Mignolet despite an unexpected and less-than-convincing return to the side.

"I thought he did well. There was just the once when the ball went over the line (from a Mamadou Sakho backpass)," said the Liverpool manager.

"He has worked hard since he has come out of the team. He has kept a clean sheet and that was important."

Rodgers admitted he may look at an emergency loan after Jones' injury but it seems in the short term he will call on the youth team.

"We will just look at that. If he is missing out, we have young Danny Ward and he will come on to the bench," he said.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche felt his side were robbed of at least a point by the visitors.

"We had our pocket pinched today with how they got away with a win," he said.

"It is a marvel the strides the group have made. It is as well as we have played, considering the opposition, since I have been at the club.

"If not totally dominant, we were very dominant and yet again another marker.

"The challenge is not just to be excellent but to win.

"I don't remember Tom Heaton making too many saves and I remember our back four being on the front foot.

"We hit the post (via Danny Ings) and didn't quite capitalise when it bounced out.

"It is a poor goal from our standards. They win a header, put it in behind us and score.

"They are fine margins at any level, particularly at this."

PA