It should have been a routine Anfield win for the Reds — instead it’s more dropped points against promoted sides and loads to be concerned about.
The Reds haven’t had the best of fortunes with this season’s promoted sides.
Liverpool were expected to beat Burnley, but like on many occasions this season, they fell apart.
Florian Wirtz opened the scoring after a missed penalty from Dominik Szoboslai, and looked to be setting Liverpool on their way. However, the second half saw a complete downturn in performance.
Burnley equalised on the hour mark, and what followed was Liverpool not being able to get back the lead despite peppering the opposing goal. Not a loss, but a worrying result.
Can anyone take the Man of the Match award off Florian Wirtz vs Burnley?
Who was Liverpool's best player on Saturday?
Liverpool player ratings vs Burnley
Alisson Becker – 6
It was a fine low-driven effort that beat Alisson for Burnley’s only goal.
Jeremie Frimpong – 5
Frimpong always seems to be waiting at the back post, and he had many opportunities to add a second Anfield goal to his resume after opening his account in the FA Cup. He failed to beat his man today.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
There was a moment of panic for Konate on the hour mark when he almost put it past his own keeper while intercepting a threatening square ball. That near miss might be why he lost concentration, allowing Marcus Edwards an unimpeded shot for Burnley’s equaliser.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Burnley’s only real foray into the box was for their only goal. Maybe Van Dijk could have been more ambitious with his distribution, though.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Liverpool fans were impressed with Kerkez after his first-half performance, and he did nothing to change that perception up until being replaced in the late stages. Got forward well and was a danger on a couple of occasions.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Confidence is clearly lacking with Gravenberch lately. We’re not seeing those incisive, elegant runs through opposition midfields that were so effective. Needs to raise his level.
Curtis Jones – 5
Jones failed to exercise his usual control on Liverpool’s possession play. He did well to assist Wirtz but overall, nothing to write home about.
Florian Wirtz – 8
What a finish from the German for Liverpool’s opener. That’s three Premier League goals in his last five outings. Wirtz is becoming Liverpool’s most important player in terms of going forward.
It wasn’t just the goal, though. He was all over the pitch and involved in everything Liverpool did well. Unfortunately, his teammates couldn’t apply the finishing touch like he did.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 5
A missed penalty threatened to add to Szoboszlai’s Barnsley woes, and it looked like his confidence might have been shaken. Not his usual levels.
Is Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool’s best penalty taker?
He missed only the second one of his career vs Burnley…
Cody Gakpo – 7
There’s no denying Gakpo can be frustrating to watch sometimes, but his usual antics were actually quite effective this afternoon. He won the penalty and had a number of chances cutting in from the left, including two cleared off the line. A decent performance.
Hugo Ekitike – 6
Along with Wirtz, Ekitike was Liverpool’s most dangerous option in the first half. Whether through the middle, or from the left, he makes defenders uncomfortable. Was key to Liverpool’s first.
He came painfully close to scoring himself over and over again in the second half, but couldn’t deliver the killing blow.
Substitutions
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
Mac Allister almost scored with his first touch of the game, blazing it over from inside the box. Didn’t make the difference as he would have liked.
Rio Ngumoha – 6
As usual, Ngumoha added some directness on the left. Liked his performance.
Andy Robertson – 6
Federico Chiesa – N/A
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