Liverpool’s home fixture on Saturday was widely expected to follow a familiar script. On paper, everything pointed towards a comfortable outing: the Reds were searching for rhythm and momentum, Burnley were still finding their feet, and history heavily favoured the hosts.
Supporters arrived anticipating control, goals, and a routine win. As football so often proves, however, reality had other plans.
What unfolded was a frustrating contest shaped by missed chances, stubborn resistance, and a late twist that turned a seemingly simple afternoon into a tense ordeal that lingered well beyond the final whistle.
From the opening exchanges, Liverpool dictated possession, calmly circulating the ball as they looked to pull Burnley out of their compact shape.
Arne Slot’s visitors set up in a disciplined 3-4-3, prioritising structure and space management over attacking ambition. The early stages lacked sparkle, but Burnley’s approach was deliberate: stay alive first, then look for opportunities later.
Their plan was reinforced by goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who emerged as a key figure early on. He produced sharp saves to deny Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz, while Dominik Szoboszlai hovered around the penalty area, probing for openings. Despite Liverpool’s territorial dominance, a breakthrough refused to come.
That sense of frustration peaked in the 32nd minute. Gakpo drove inside with intent before being clipped by Florentino in the area, earning a clear penalty.
Szoboszlai stepped up with confidence, only to see his effort crash against the crossbar. Dubravka was beaten, but Burnley survived, and the atmosphere inside Anfield instantly shifted.
Rather than settling nerves, the miss injected anxiety, while Burnley grew in belief. Dropping even deeper, they began to sense that a result was possible.
Liverpool kept pushing and were eventually rewarded. After Dubravka repelled another effort, Curtis Jones reacted quickest to the loose ball and found Wirtz, who took a touch and unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner to finally break the deadlock.
Relief swept through the stands as Liverpool headed into the break ahead, firmly in control statistically and territorially, though the contest was far from decided.
The second half brought a more assertive Burnley. They pressed selectively and looked to exploit pockets of space when they appeared.
Marcus Edwards, largely quiet earlier, began to influence the game down the left. Liverpool continued to threaten through Gakpo, Wirtz, and Szoboszlai, but their failure to find a second goal left the door open.
Burnley took full advantage on 65 minutes. Florentino threaded a clever pass into Edwards, who finished calmly across Alisson to restore parity and reignite belief among the visitors.
The closing stages descended into chaos. Liverpool committed numbers forward, creating chances in waves, only to be thwarted by Dubravka and Burnley’s disciplined defensive block.
Hugo Ekitike saw a goal ruled out for offside, Alexis Mac Allister had an effort blocked, and Szoboszlai again tested the goalkeeper.
Burnley defended with resolve and organisation, slowing the game whenever possible and holding firm.
Deep into stoppage time, nerves peaked when Federico Chiesa went down under pressure from Josh Laurent in the box, but the referee waved away the appeals. Moments later, the whistle blew on a 1-1 draw that carried weight for both teams.
For Liverpool, it was a stark reminder that dominance alone does not guarantee victory. The missed penalty came to symbolise a performance where control never fully became certainty.
Burnley, meanwhile, departed Anfield with a hard-earned point, their discipline, belief, and opportunism proving enough to disrupt what once seemed an inevitable outcome.
