Ruthless streak missing for the Reds against Burnley

On the day Liverpool celebrated their 125 birthday, there was no gift for Kopites seeking a lift after a damaging week.

Instead Jurgen Klopp's side treated supporters to a sight they have seen far too often in recent years.

Burnley added their name to the list of average opposition who have parked the bus at Anfield and walked away with something to show for their troubles.

This was Groundhog Day. Just like against Sevilla in the Champions League in midweek, how the Reds didn't emerge victorious was baffling.

Questions will be asked about Klopp's decision to make seven changes and how late he left it before throwing on Dominic Solanke and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the closing stages.

But this wasn't a case of a disjointed line up rarely spluttering into life. The fact is that Liverpool had more than enough quality out there and they should have won comfortably.

They enjoyed 71% possession and did plenty with it. The Reds fashioned 35 shots of which nine troubled stand-in keeper Nick Pope.

Yet there was no ruthless streak in the final third. When cool heads were required, composure was severely lacking. Since the international break, belief has taken a battering.

Philippe Coutinho couldn't deliver on his first start. There were brief moments of class but his underwhelming afternoon was summed up by the wild 25-yarder which ended up in the top tier of the Anfield Road End.

Similarly, Daniel Sturridge wasn't able to fully grasp his chance after being given the opportunity to lead the line. How he didn't get on the scoresheet will remain a mystery.

Solanke should have been the hero at the death but somehow hammered against the bar from close range.

Liverpool sorely missed the spark and finishing touch of Sadio Mane, who started his three-match ban.

The problem Klopp has got is that one goal is rarely going to be enough for the Reds to triumph this term such is their vulnerability at the back.

The names were different with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ragnar Klavan and Andy Robertson drafted in, but there was yet another soft goal for the growing collection.

Scott Arfield took full advantage after some hesitation from centre-backs Joel Matip and Klavan.

The real positive for Kopites to cling to was the sight of Mohamed Salah continuing his fine start to his Anfield career as he made it five goals in eight games.

His right foot may only be for standing on, but his left is a wand. Strong, skilful and with a blistering turn of pace, he was always Liverpool's most potent weapon.

Whether the Reds did enough in the transfer market this summer is highly debatable, but considering the sky-high fees paying £36.9million for Salah looks like a steal.

Just like against Sevilla, Liverpool lost their stranglehold on proceedings late on and could have been beaten.

Joel Matip's goal-line clearance was quickly followed by a fine save from Simon Mignolet as a couple of set-pieces sparked panic. Sound familiar?

Klopp had warned there would be changes as he wanted to ensure Liverpool boasted “freshness in both body and mind” and he was true to his word.

Roberto Firmino, Salah, Matip and Emre Can were the only survivors from the draw with Sevilla.

Despite the absence of Mane, there was no lack of firepower with Coutinho playing just behind the front three of Salah, Sturridge and Firmino.

Sean Dyche's Burnley are no mugs having won at Chelsea and drawn at Tottenham already this term and their six-man backline frustrated the hosts.

Sturridge scuffed shot straight at Pope before Alexander-Arnold dragged wide from the edge of the box. Matip turned creator when he strode forward with purpose and fed Salah, who saw his penalty appeals waved away after tangling with James Tarkowski.

Salah remained at the heart of everything best about the Reds as Burnley struggled to contain him. The Egyptian's cut back just evaded Firmino and then Salah nodded over from Sturridge's cross.

The Clarets had shown nothing going forward but they broke the deadlock against the run of play in painfully familiar fashion on 27 minutes.

Alexander-Arnold was out-jumped by Robbie Brady and neither Matip nor Klavan dealt with the danger as Chris Wood made a nuisance of himself.

The loose ball dropped to Arfield who gave Mignolet no chance with a clinical finish. Burnley had enjoyed just 19% possession but they led courtesy of their first shot on target.

To their credit, Liverpool hit straight back and within four minutes they were level.

Emre Can, playing the holding role, picked out Salah's run with a delightful lofted pass. The winger controlled on his thigh, worked it on to his left foot and drilled emphatically past Pope.

The atmosphere was transformed. With the decibel levels cranked up, the Reds should have gone into the interval in front.

James Milner delivered a beauty from the right which somehow eluded Sturridge.

Coutinho looked like a man trying too hard early on but belatedly he came to life. His through ball released Sturridge who rifled into the side-netting.

The second half was a similar story with Liverpool firmly in the ascendancy and Burnley simply intent on keeping them out.

Sturridge's chip cleared the bar, Coutinho's 25-yarder zipped over and Can's strike was hacked away after Pope spilt it.

The chances kept on coming with Pope making a sprawling save from Sturridge before Robertson dragged wide and Tarkowski blocked Milner's goal-bound volley.

As the minutes ticked away, anxiety levels grew in the stands. Klopp turned to Solanke and Oxlade-Chamberlain, who replaced Firmino and Coutinho.

There were howls of derision from the Kop when Can and Klavan went for the same ball and needlessly conceded a corner.

Burnley should have ensured that sense of frustration swiftly turned to anger. The Reds' marking was horrific but Mee's first header was kept out by Matip and his second attempt was blocked by Mignolet.

During a frenetic finale Salah appeared to be brought down in the box before Solanke turned Alexander-Arnold's cross against the bar.

Resigned fans headed for the exits. It was just one of those days. There have been too many of them.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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