Champions find a way. A 94th minute penalty converted by Mo Salah, breaking Burnley hearts as Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the season with a 1-0 away victory.
This was a tough assignment for Liverpool, as Burnley defended with determination, organisation, and no little desire on a rain sodden day in Lancashire. Whilst Arne Slot’s men undoubtedly deserved the three points, clear cut chances were at a premium and a packed penalty box ensured that the hosts left little space for Liverpool to play. Pot shots, one particularly rasping effort by Dominik Szoboszlai, in a one-way second half and an endless stream of corners came and went but, as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, a nil-nil draw looked certain.
Liverpool though, are accustomed to late winners. Mybe not quite as late as the 94th minute, but they’re now the first side in Premier League history to win four consecutive games, thanks to winning goals scored in the final 10 minutes or later. Some might say that’s luck, others might say it’s the trait of champions. Mo Salah’s penalty meanwhile, extended a club record run of 38 top-flight games in which they’ve scored.
Starting with the same eleven that saw off Arsenal prior to the international break, Slot saw his side totally dominate a very well organised Burnley from the outset. Yet, for all their possession, Dubravka was rarely troubled in goal. His defenders did a fine job in repelling Liverpool, who were too often pedestrian with the ball.
Those travelling fans may have expected to see Alexander Isac don a Liverpool shirt, but had that notion dispelled before kick-off, as the Swedish striker wasn’t even named in the squad.
As the second half began, and immediately mirrored the pattern of the first, the away fans soon signalled their desire to see Federico Chiesa introduced. Mid-way through the second period, they got their wish, with Jeremie Frimping and St. James Park hero Rio Ngumoha also given the chance to wrestle all three points from a tiring Burnley – a task made that little bit easier for Liverpool when Ugochukwu was shown a red card in the 84th minute.
So, down to ten men and by now camped on the edge of their box, Burnley sought to see out the game. However, their discipline deserted them just when a creditable point beckoned. Hannibal, who might have been better advised to eat the ball rather than attempting to bat it away with his hands, was rightly penalised by referee Michael Oliver. Salah, who doesn’t look quite at the levels of last season, lashed the resulting spot kick into the net. For the umpteenth time in his Liverpool career, he had secured his side all three points.
