In Liverpool’s second game of the season the Reds fell short as Burnley ran out victors to the tune of two goals to nil.
With the recent loss of Sadio Mané due to injury and after Alberto Moreno’s horrifying showing at the Emirates, Daniel Sturridge and James Milner entered the otherwise unchanged lineup for Liverpool as they traveled to Turf Moor to take on Sean Dyche’s Burnley side, who lost 1-0 to Swansea in their opener.
The match started off with an early goal for the home side as a sloppy ball from Clyne was picked up and played into Sam Vokes who hit a terrific strike past Mignolet into the top corner from the edge of the box. The Clarets almost extended their lead shortly after as pacy Andre Gray was played through to run one-on-one with Mignolet, yet was denied an effort on goal after a terrific recovery challenge from Lovren.
Both sides settling into the game provided a good series of pressure for the Reds in the attacking half, creating some chances for Coutinho to shoot wide from that area, as well as Firmino nearly getting a tap in at the near post following a low cross from Lallana. The trend continued with the flow of the game shifting into Liverpool constantly finding themselves in Burnley’s half with patient build up. The home side seemed confident in letting the Reds hold onto the ball yet no moves resulted in any clear chances for Jürgen Klopp’s away side.
Bad turned to worse as Burnley extended their lead through Andre Gray who picked up the ball on the counter, cut inside, and fired into Mignolet’s far post to give his side a 2-0 lead. As if a score line has ever not told the story of the match. Two shots, two goals from a Burnley side that sat back the whole half.
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The halftime score read 2-0 as both sides made their way into the dressing rooms. A poor showing of speed of play and inability to break down Burnley’s deep block have resulted in two goals off the counter attack, Burnley both times picking the ball of a player in neon green and capitalizing.
The second half started in the same fashion as an early chance was created after some linkup between Sturridge and Wijnaldum found Coutinho at the edge of the box to fire first time into Tom Heaton’s hands. Shots outside the area began to appear as a recurring theme. Soon after Firmino produced a fabulous effort towards the near top corner, forcing Heaton to make his first serious save of the day diving to save the strike.
The rest of the game dragged on as Liverpool struggled to create chances and Burnley happy to sit back. Endless crosses without reaching a recipient became a normality. A game Benteke would enjoyed, funnily enough! Substitutes of Origi, Moreno and Grujic were brought in for Sturridge, Milner, and Lallana, respectively, in which Grujic nearly pulled one back for the Reds after his strike from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar from Heaton.
As the game drew to a close, Burnley won their first corner in the 92nd minute, whilst Liverpool had a total of 12. Take what you will from that.
An embarrassing performance from the Reds ends with a final score of Burnley 2, Liverpool 0.