Liverpool 0-1 Burnley
Ashley Barnes won and converted a late penalty to give Burnley a historic victory and put a massive dent in Liverpool’s title hopes.
The pressure was on Jurgen Klopp’s Reds after midweek wins for the two Manchester clubs and Leicester City had left them in fourth place in the Premier League table, and six points off the top. Liverpool’s recent form has seen the Premier League 2021 betting odds move quickly in favour of Manchester City who are now odds on to regain the title, with the champions drifting as far as 6.00.
This was a huge blow to the Reds but a major boost to Burnley’s survival hopes.
Highlights of the game
Liverpool have been looking for a spark up front in recent weeks and they started with Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino on the bench, with the incoming Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri tasked with breaking down a stubborn Burnley defence. Chances were few and far between in the early stages, though Shaqiri fired a shot just wide, while at the other end Alisson made a brave save to deny Ashley Barnes.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took aim from about 25 yards and caught his shot well, but straight down the throat of Nick Pope. The return of key players from injury has seen Burnley improve in recent weeks. Of the injured first-teamers Ben Mee, in particular, was badly missed. His return, and that of centre back James Tarkowski, has shored up the Burnley defence and Mee put in a great block tackle to deny Origi.
Just before the break, we saw two shocks in one movement which resulted in a 0-0 half time score. Ben Mee uncharacteristically fluffed a clearance which left Origi through on goal with just Pope to beat, but he smashed his effort against the crossbar. The pressure began to show when things got a little heated on the way up the tunnel after a coming together between Barnes and Fabinho.
Ten minutes into the second half Klopp had seen enough and brought Salah and Firmino on to replace Oxlade-Chamberlain and Origi, and within minutes top scorer Salah was denied by a brilliant save by Pope at his near post. And as Liverpool probed for an opener Firmino snuck in at the far post but couldn’t squeeze the ball in from a tight angle.
With 20 minutes remaining Burnley reminded Liverpool they were in a game when the excellent Dwight McNeill raced to the bi-line but Johann Berg Gudmundsson scooped his effort wide.
Liverpool screamed for a penalty when a cross appeared to hit Eric Pieters on a hand, but it was tight into the defender’s side and VAR was un-moved.
Then, with just eight minutes left on the clock, Burnley broke through the Liverpool defence and Alisson upended Barnes, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Barnes picked himself up and smashed the Clarets’ first penalty of the season past Alisson and into the net.
Key statistics
The pre-match SBOTOP odds had Burnley at odds of 12.00 to win this game and no wonder.
The last time the Clarets won at Anfield was 46 years ago in 1975, and this was the last time anyone beat Liverpool at their home since April 2017.
The visitors managed the game well, restricting the hosts to six shots on target while the Clarets managed four.
What’s next?
Expect the Premier League 2021 news to be dominated by the transfer window over the next week because we’re back to FA Cup football this weekend. The tie of the round is Liverpool’s fourth-round match away to Manchester United.
The two old adversaries played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield last week and the Red Devils returned to the top of the league on Wednesday night thanks to a 2-1 victory over Fulham. Paul Pogba seems to have suddenly found form and he won the game with a second-half screamer. Then Klopp’s team sees out January with two difficult away trips to London where they face title hopefuls Spurs and then in-form West Ham.
Meanwhile, Burnley have their own visit to the capital when they face Fulham in the FA Cup, before returning to league action at home to Aston Villa next Wednesday 27th.
After tonight’s heroics, Sean Dyche’s team won’t fear anyone, but Liverpool have some thinking to do.
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