Anfield’s emotional verdict to another dispiriting result arrived in the form of boos. Wisely, Arne Slot chose not to dispute it. The Liverpool head coach got almost everything he wished for against Burnley – more creativity and more chances in particular – but the failure to kill off a relegation-threatened opponent who scored from their only shot on target brought familiar torment.
Liverpool had 32 attempts on Martin Dubravka’s goal, including one from the penalty spot, with 11 on target. Two were cleared off the line by the Burnley defender Bashir Humphreys. Slot had asked for dominant ball possession to yield more opportunities and here was the response, of sorts. Only Florian Wirtz converted, however, and the champions were held to a fourth successive Premier League draw when Marcus Edwards rewarded Burnley’s improved second half showing with a fine equaliser. More missed chances followed from Liverpool before a chorus of condemnation greeted the final whistle.
Asked whether he understood the home crowd’s reaction, Slot replied: “Yes. In my head there wasn’t booing but there was frustration as well. You have to give credit to Burnley for doing everything to prevent us scoring but if, as Liverpool, you are not disappointed by drawing at home to Burnley then something is wrong. I completely understand the frustration. I have the same frustrations and the players definitely have the same frustrations as the fans.”
Scott Parker and his players merited the credit that Slot offered. The first half resembled a training exercise of attack versus defence as Liverpool constantly probed their deep, five-man defence. Armando Broja was so isolated in the Burnley attack he operated in a different postcode to his teammates. They conceded a soft penalty, missed by Dominik Szoboszlai, and fell behind shortly before the interval when Wirtz lashed home his fourth goal in six games. But the visitors’ concentration never wavered. A braver, more enterprising second half resulted in Edwards sweeping home his first goal of the season and sparking pandemonium in the away section.
It was a far cry from Parker’s last appearance at Anfield – the 9-0 defeat with Bournemouth in 2022 and the angry post-match reaction that prompted his sacking as manager. “The key for us was getting in at half-time still in the game so we could fix a few things,” he admitted.
Liverpool had more answers than of late against a low block but found Dubravka in commanding form in the Burnley goal. The keeper produced three good, and similar, saves to deny Hugo Ekitiké, Cody Gakpo and Wirtz in the first half.
Slot’s team were gifted a chance to take the lead when awarded a soft penalty by the referee Andrew Madley. Receiving Curtis Jones’ pass inside the area, Gakpo turned on to his favoured right foot and straight into Florentino Luís before going down under the challenge. The Burnley midfielder could do little about the collision but caught Gakpo with his knee. The visitors raged against the decision and would consider justice done when Szoboszlai smacked the spot-kick against the crossbar.
Liverpool broke the deadlock when Dubravka saved at his near post from Ekitiké and Jones had the presence of mind to locate Wirtz inside a crowded penalty area. The German playmaker fired an emphatic finish into the top corner through a pack of incoming defenders. Ekitiké’s part in the breakthrough must be singled out for praise. The forward controlled Virgil van Dijk’s cross-field ball exquisitely before spinning away from both Kyle Walker and Axel Tuanzebe and testing Dubravka from a tight angle. Tuanzebe played despite knowing his wife had gone into labour. “It was touch and go whether he would play as it was going on for about 16 hours,” said Parker. “But we had a car outside with the engine running and he’s with her now.”
Burnley had to show more adventure in the second half. And they delivered. The visitors served notice of newfound intent when Edwards broke free and attempted to find Jaidon Anthony unmarked in front of goal. Ibrahima Konaté, lunging to intercept, almost converted into his own net but Alisson reacted sharply to scoop clear. Moments later, and to Anfield’s general astonishment. Burnley were level. Luís prised open a static Liverpool defence with a fine pass into Edwards who, in space on the left of the area, rifled a powerful finish into the far corner.
“They both came in the same five-minute period,” lamented Slot. “They were the only moments when we struggled.” But Liverpool’s struggles in front of goal continued. Dubravka saved from Wirtz, Humphreys made two vital goalline clearances from Gakpo, Ekitiké had a goal disallowed when coming back from an offside position to convert a Van Dijk header and Alexis Mac Allister sliced badly wide seconds after his introduction from the bench. Jones was in despair when he dragged a shot across the face of goal and Ekitiké just failed to apply the finishing touch. The feeling was soon shared across Anfield.
