By David Awopetu
Liverpool lost at home for the first time since April 2017 as Ashley Barnes’ late penalty earned Burnley a 1-0 win, bringing the champions’ 68-game unbeaten Premier League run at Anfield to an end.
Liverpool’s alarming recent form continued as they failed to score and win for the fourth successive league game. They were once again met by an inspired Nick Pope, but their best chance came in the first half when Divock Origi smashed the crossbar.
Despite dominating possession and forcing goalkeeper Pope into a number of saves, Jürgen Klopp’s men were unable to take anything from the game.
Joel Matip made his comeback in the fixture as he replaced the injured Jordan Henderson at centre-half.
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi were handed starts, coming in for Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who both began on the bench.
The Reds made a strong start to proceedings and could’ve gone ahead after seven minutes. However, Sadio Mane’s goal-bound header off a corner was blocked by Dwight McNeil.
At the other end, Burnley created their first opportunity, which required Alisson Becker to make a smart intervention. The No.1 initially fumbled a cross aimed at Chris Wood but pounced on the rebound to deny Barnes’ close-range shot.
It was more of the same following in the interval, with Pope keeping out a well-struck effort from Trent Alexander-Arnold that was heading in.
Salah and Firmino were introduced to the contest in the 57th minute, and the former came close to making an instant impact.
Georginio Wijnaldum picked up possession off Alisson and carried the ball all the way to the Burnley penalty area. The No.5 laid the ball off to Salah, who was then denied at the near post by the impressive Pope.
Burnley striker Barnes was tripped in the box by goalkeeper Alisson with seven minutes remaining and converted the spot-kick as the Clarets won at Anfield for the first time since 1974.
