Liverpool mentality monsters missed Jordan Henderson

Liverpool could only draw 1-1 with Burnley as they missed Jordan Henderson.

The Reds home winning streak has come to an end. A draw to the Clarets and Sean Dyche, at 1-1 seemed anticlimactic due to Nick Pope and his eight saves, three or four of which were world class.

An injured Jordan Henderson saw Jurgen Klopp give the nod to Curtis Jones in the middle of the park over an in form Naby Keita.

It was clear the Reds missed their skipper and his leadership, tireless drive, and determination – even if Jones had a decent go for his first Premier League start.

It was obvious the Reds came to score early and often as they put 10 shots at Pope in the first 20 minutes or so. Neco Williams got the nod in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold and he played well in his second start.

I just think Klopp may have left the two young lads on 10 minutes too long. While they both played well, it was apparent that they were outmanned by more experience Burnley men, Phil Bardsley particular.

Pope (man of the match without doubt), stymied the Reds attack on several occasions in the first half, with three world class saves. The scoreline could easily have been 3-0 at the break. He continued in the same vein after half time, denying the Reds on at least another four occasions.

Salah had excellent opportunity’s to score in both halves, but failed to execute the finish.

Roberto Firmino was once again denied a home goal this campaign, when his shot hit the far post midway through the second period.

Playing a 1-0 margin well into the second half gave confidence to a courageous Burnley side. This is a reoccurring theme for the Reds of late.

Managing a one goal lead has proved bothersome. They have given up goals before the half to both Aston Villa and Brighton away. Their ruthlessness must have taken its holiday in Brighton, because it was absent at Anfield today.

And now a late 70th minute strike from a poorly cleared ball from the box, led to a bitter draw where Liverpool played well enough to win three or four to nil.

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Their propensity to give up goals is worrying, today’s coming just a dozen seconds after a restart from the second period water break. This trending, poor run of defensive form has to be a worrying headache for Klopp. Mental lapses are becoming too common.

Joe Gomez was atrocious today.

Allowing opponents to remain in the match long after they should have killed off those opponents, speaks volumes. This reminds me more of Klopp’s team in his first full season four years ago; than the side dominating the league this campaign. City thoroughly destroyed Burnley 5-0 ten days ago.

Liverpool need to pay close attention to how Burnley played, their shape, their positional play on defense, and their desire to counter quickly. This is most likely all they will see from Premier League opponents come fall.

This is a situation that Klopp will need to address now, to prepare his squad for the defensive onslaught coming their way from at least 16 of the EPL sides they will face in the new campaign.

As to records? Any hope they may have had for stellar season ending records to highlight a near perfect campaign, went out the window with two or three Pope fingertip saves.

Arsenal next, in London, an inform Chelsea at home, and an away tie at Newcastle; for nine points. This would give them 102 points, but must seem now, in their current form, an inconsistent flip of the coin, as it were.

It is quite possible from here that they finish on 96, which for me, will seem like a tremendous letdown. They dropped five points through March of 2020. They have dropped seven in their last six fixtures. The tale of two Liverpool’s.