Liverpool escaped Turf Moor with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday, secured by Mohamed Salah’s composed 93rd-minute penalty after Hannibal Mejbri handled Jeremie Frimpong’s cross in the box.
It was hardly a vintage attacking display for Liverpool. However, given the circumstances, a stubborn Burnley entrenched in deep defense and hunting for a draw or even an upset steal, this was a hard-earned and valuable three points.
Stiff defence
Burnley set out with an ultra-defensive approach, staying compact and offering only the occasional counter.
That forced Liverpool into patient, relentless probing. They dominated the ball with 81 percent possession, launched 27 shots to Burnley’s 3, and generated 2.75 expected goals compared to the hosts’ 0.13.
Yet for the majority of the match, the final touch waived the Reds' effort off. Their front four still looked short on rhythm, with several wing deliveries drifting harmlessly through the box and few clean connections in the final third.
Their control was clear, but their cohesion is still a work in progress.
One of the more encouraging takeaways was manager Arne Slot’s in-game judgment. The Dutch manager demonstrated that he prioritizes discipline and structure over star power.
Despite the buzz surrounding record signing Alexander Isak, Slot opted not to include him in the squad, mindful of the striker’s limited preseason integration.
Bold Slot choices
He also acted strongly in the first half when Milos Kerkez was booked a yellow after a flopping action in the box, aiming to avoid further risks.
Slot replaced the young Hungarian defender with veteran Andy Robertson, who instantly stabilized the left flank and injected energy on both sides of the ball.
These alterations may be slightly conservative and controversial, but they highlight Slot’s commitment to maintaining control and protecting results, an approach that can serve the squad well over the long season.
Florian Wirtz offered another positive thread. After a few games of adaptation, he is now showing more comfort linking play and driving forward, popping up between lines to threaten the goal.
However, Liverpool still needs to connect with him more effectively when he roams centrally, as many of his clever movements went unnoticed.
When Hugo Ekitike and others failed to impose themselves aerially inside the penalty area, Liverpool should have recalled its last season’s blueprint: quick, incisive ground passes through the box. And, apparently, Wiltz is capable of finishing the final touch.
Liverpool luckily made its persistence pay off in extra time as the Reds' late surge finally cracked Burnley’s resistance inside its territory, and Salah buried the penalty, firing the ball to the top right of the goal.
The result wasn’t pretty, but it was convincing, a win that sends Liverpool three points clear at the top of the table.