Jurgen Klopp’s complaints about a self-fulfilling prophecy came back to haunt him as his side suffered yet more defensive dithering in the 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
Liverpool’s shortcomings at the back were placed under the microscope this week after conceding a lead in the midweek Champions League draw with Sevilla, and despite the German’s protestations the Clarets provided more evidence for the case against the defence.
Sean Dyche’s well-drilled side took the lead through Scott Arfield with their first shot on target after hesitation by centre-backs Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan allowed the ball to drop between them in the middle of the penalty area.
Mohamed Salah’s fifth goal of the season, and his fourth in succession at Anfield, quickly restored parity but what followed was more a failure of Klopp’s attack to break down Burnley’s determined defence as they finished with 35 shots but just nine on target.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
Were Burnley happy with a point?
STAR MAN
Mohamed Salah. His pace gave Liverpool a much-needed outlet and his fifth goal of the season was just reward.
Mo Salah continued his hot scoring form.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan allowing the ball to drop in the penalty area for Scott Arfield’s opener was symptomatic of a more deep-rooted problem for Liverpool.
DATA POINT
A draw, albeit a disappointing one, saw liverpool register their 1,000th Premier League point at Anfield.
RATINGS
LIVERPOOL
Simon Mignolet: 7 (out of 10)
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6
Joel Matip: 5
Ragnar Klavan: 5
Andrew Robertson: 6
Emre Can: 5
James Milner: 6
Philippe Coutinho: 7
Mohamed Salah: 7
Daniel Sturridge: 6
Roberto Firmino: 6
Substitutions
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Firmino, 78): 6
Dominic Solanke (on for Coutinho, 78): 5
Liverpool fell behind early but quickly got an equaliser.
BURNLEY
Nick Pope: 7
Matthew Lowton: 6
Ben Mee: 7
James Tarkowski: 7
Stephen Ward: 6
Johann Berg Gudmundsson: 5
Jack Cork: 5
Scott Arfield: 7
Steven Defour (replaced by Westwood, 87): 6
Robbie Brady: 6
Chris Wood (replaced by Vokes, 87): 6
Substitutions
Sam Vokes (on for Wood, 87): 5
Ashley Barnes (on for Gudmundsson, 60): 6
Ashley Westwood (on for Defour, 87): 5
Burnley defended heroically to earn their first Premier League point at Anfield.
WHO’S UP NEXT?
Leicester v Liverpool (Carabao Cup, Tuesday, September 19)
Burnley v Leeds (Carabao Cup, Tuesday, September 19)