Match Report: Burnley 0 - Liverpool 1

Match Date: Sunday 14 September 2025

Scorers: 

Mohammad Salah (Pen 94) 

Well everyone thought it was going to be a goalfest, but it was anything but that.  The team lineup was exactly as it was against Arsenal, with Szoboszlai still starting at right back.

The first half was something to forget by Liverpool, from the outset it was clear that Burnley were going to defend and defend deep, with very little interest to play football unless Liverpool do something stupid.  The Liverpool build up was extremely pedestrian, and consisted of trying to find a way through a 10 man defense.  The amount of sideways and backward passing was hypnotic to anyone watching that it would take great effort to mainatain ones awareness.  The only entertainment on show was Ryan Gravenberch doing things with the ball in tight spaces, a joy to watch, but shame about the rest of his team mates.  For the first time it appeared that Ekitike looked out of place in the team, always looking for the ball in deep positions when he would have been better off standing close to the goal, as Burnley showed little interest in coming out.  On the left wing Kerkez was having one of those games, he got booked for an obvious dive in the Burnley box, and then later in the half got tangled up with a Burnley player, that incident was all Slot could risk as towards the end of the half he was substituted with Robertson coming on.  There were no other memorable moments in the half other than a noteworthy yellow card for a Burnley player who misstimeed his tackle on Mac Allister's anckle.

The second half saw Liverpool move the ball faster, with a few shots taken from distance, but really the play was still lethargic.  Slot then took off Alexis Mac Allister and bought on Bradley at right back and Sloboszlai moved into midfield.  Suddenly there was more movement on the right, Salah had someone to play with and interchange.  However, as the game went on Liverpool were failing to carve out anything like a clear cut chance.  Robertson added much impetus to the game but it was not enough, Slot would bring on Chiesa and take Ekitike off.  Within 5 minutes a deadly Robertson cross from the left with pinpoint accuracy would be missed by Chiesa as he headed it wide.  The clock was ticking still, Liverpool had to win this game and break Burnley's resolve and doggedness in defense.  Then another missed timed tackle by Lesley Uguchukwu earned him a second yellow card and a sending off as Burnley were reduced to 10 men.  Still this was not enough for Liverpool as Burnley defended even deeper.  It was time for Slot to bring on Rio Ngumoha, and Frimpong.  The effect was immediate as Rio took on the backline, and drilled a lovely cross which Frimpong took first time from the right of the Burnley goal.  It was saved brilliantly, but the play continued and in the 94th minute, when it looked like this game was heading for an embarrassing draw for Liverpool - the unexpected happened.  In a moment of madness the Burnley defender Hannabal decided to block a cross with his hand, leaving very little for the referee to consider other than point to the spot for a Liverpool penalty.  Mohammad Salah stepped up and emphatically scored to win the game.  It was the Burnley manager - Scott Parker's first defeat at home since taking over the club.

Liverpool have now won all of their 4 starting  games after the 80th minute.  They continue to not march ... but plod along to victory it seems, and most likely to the dissapointment of rival fans, which as a Liverpool fan I find quite satisfying if not the performance of the team.