Mohamed Salah’s penalty kick in stoppage time gave Liverpool a thrilling 1-0 victory over recently promoted Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday. After a somewhat frustrated performance in which they were mainly held at bay by a determined Burnley team for the entire of the match, the champions secured their fourth victory in as many Premier League games.
Burnley, under manager Scott Parker, entered the match buoyed by their return to the top flight and a recent home win. They aimed to bring Liverpool’s unbeaten run to a halt. Meanwhile Liverpool, led by Arne Slot, began the game without their record signing, Alexander Isak, citing concerns over fitness after his recent move from Newcastle. ESPN.com+2Talksport+2
Despite dominating possession, Liverpool struggled to break through Burnley’s disciplined defensive setup. Burnley defended with energy and purpose, disrupting Liverpool’s rhythm, especially through the middle and in the wide areas. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had a series of smart saves, keeping the hosts in the game. The Guardian+1
Milos Kerkez, Liverpool’s summer left-back signing, picked up a yellow card early in the first half (for simulation) and then committed another foul that risked a second booking. In response, manager Arne Slot withdrew him in the 38th minute, replacing him with Andy Robertson. The change was widely praised as a smart move to avoid being reduced to ten men.
Burnley’s organization limited Liverpool’s clear chances. On several occasions, Burnley were able to frustrate Liverpool’s advances, particularly exploiting counterattacks and set-piece opportunities. The Independent+1
Burnley went down to ten men late in the game when Lesley Ugochukwu was shown a second yellow card, adding to the tension as the match approached stoppage time. Flashscore+1
The breakthrough came in the 93rd minute. In stoppage time, Burnley defender Hannibal was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Mohamed Salah stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, sealing the three points for Liverpool. The timing of the penalty added dramatic finality, leaving Burnley with little chance to recover.
The result maintains their perfect start to the Premier League season. Despite not playing their best football, they showed resilience and composure when it mattered. Slot’s side continue to prove they can grind out results, even when not at their fluent best. The absence of Isak was noted, and with his gradual integration expected, doubts remain about how quickly he will fit into the system.
While the defeat will sting, especially in injury time, there are positives to take. Their defensive solidity and work ethic earned them large parts of this match. If they can maintain that level of discipline and tighten up in attack, there is reason for optimism in their bid to stay in the Premier League.
Liverpool will look to build from this and sharpen their attacking output ahead of upcoming fixtures, including their Champions League opener. Isak’s involvement will likely increase gradually. Talksport Burnley, for their part, will aim to bounce back at home, address lapses in discipline, and find ways to be more threatening offensively without compromising defensive stability. The Independent+1
