AFTER a memorable 2017 the new year dawned with another big fish at Turf Moor as the Clarets welcomed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to East Lancashire.

Unfortunately it was another case of nearly-but-not-quite for Burnley as their first difficult run of the season continued.

In a tight game Sadio Mane fired Liverpool ahead just after hour, sending a left-footed shot on the turn past Nick Pope and into the roof of the net.

It was a second game in three days for both sides but while Klopp had made seven changes Sean Dyche had only brought James Tarkowski back from the goalless draw at Huddersfield.

So it was to the Clarets credit that they made light of the schedule to fight back, gradually upping the pressure on Simon Mignolet’s goal before Johann Berg Gudmundsson stole in at the back post to head home an equaliser with three minutes to go.

But the point was snatched away from the Clarets in the final minute of stoppage time. Dejan Lovren headed a free-kick across goal and Ragnar Klavan touched it home on the line. It was a cruel way to begin 2018.

After a hectic schedule of Premier League action it was time for the FA Cup to come to the fore, although the task certainly got no easier for Burnley.

The balls for the third round draw hadn’t been kind to the Clarets, handing them a trip to runaway leaders Manchester City.

Changes were expected at the Etihad Stadium but in the end it was fewer then anticipated, with Dyche making four alterations to his side and Pep Guardiola just three.

For a while the upset was on. After 25 minutes Ashley Barnes latched on to Sam Vokes’ flick as John Stones made a mess of his clearance and sent a fierce half-volley into the back of the net. The 7,600 Clarets behind Claudio Bravo’s goal were in dreamland.

The advantage lasted for half an hour but the turnaround was rapid. A quick free-kick from Ilkay Gundogan played Sergio Aguero in to equalise.

Within two minutes the same combination had combined again to put City ahead. Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva added a gloss to the scoreline with two goals in the final 20 minutes.

Scott Arfield had missed the cup game with a minor hamstring injury, further weakening Burnley’s options out wide and Dyche took action.

His first foray into the transfer market in January saw winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou arrive on loan from Tottenham.

The French winger would make his debut from the bench at Selhurst Park but Burnley’s winless run would extend to seven in all competitions.

Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace side dominated the first half and took a deserved lead when Bakary Sako put them ahead on 21 minutes.

Nkoudou injected same pace and trickery into a Clarets side who were much better after the break, but they couldn’t find an equaliser.

The winless run in the league was extended to seven when Burnley fell to defeat to Manchester United at Turf Moor.

Again the Clarets were unfortunate not to take more from United. They were the better side throughout but couldn’t make their dominance count and were undone by Anthony Martial’s whipped shot off the underside of the crossbar 10 minutes after the break.

But there was good news on the horizon.

First Aaron Lennon signed on a two-and-a-half year deal, but then came the icing on the cake with the news that Sean Dyche had signed a new four-and-a-half year contract. There could be no better signing for Burnley.

There would be no more additions before the transfer window closed on the same night Burnley earned a late point at Newcastle. Again they were denied a clear penalty when Jack Cork was tripped by the failing Paul Dummett.

Jamaal Lascelles then headed the hosts ahead but a Karl Darlow own goal, from Sam Vokes' header, meant it ended honours even.