Liverpool 1 Burnley 1: Frustrating home draw shows just how much Sadio Mane's loss is felt at Anfield

Liverpool 
Liverpool endured a frustrating afternoon at Anfield Credit: getty images

The question in the summer was how would Liverpool cope without Philippe Coutinho. It has evolved into how do they thrive without Sadio Mane.

Another frustrating home draw demonstrated just how much the suspended Senegalese’s loss is felt.

Coutinho was back after a pre-season of friction, searching for form as much as possession in a deep midfield role, but the consequences of Mane’s three-game ban have already impacted on Jurgen Klopp’s side. The rotation system the manager believes essential to success was sent spinning.

Klopp made seven changes to the side that faced Sevilla in the Champions League. Mass alterations might be  necessary for fresh legs, but they can also be undermining. Players are seeking an understanding as much as rhythm and sharpness to their game.

Now Liverpool are already five points behind Manchester City, a week which began with defensive toils ending with a rare blunt attacking display.

Jack Cork and Emre Can square up
Jack Cork and Emre Can square up Credit: AFP

Burnley’s stand-in goalkeeper Nick Pope withstood the pinches of pressure impressively. The home side had 35  attempts on his goal but the forward surge was never incessant.

Aside from the one time Pope was beaten for Mohamed Salah’s equaliser, the most trouble the goalkeeper faced was a caution from referee Roger East for time-wasting. It could have been even better for Burnley. Scott Arfield put Sean Dyche’s side ahead in the first half and, despite Salah’s immediate  response, Joel Matip’s goal-line clearance from Ben Mee’s header prevented a late winner.

“That would have been typical for us at the moment,” said Klopp.

Liverpool were full of combinations and tricks, but often too far from goal. They were rarely granted an audience with the Pope from close range, snapshots keeping the 25-year-old alert  until a late rally when sub Dominic Solanke struck the bar.

“I am not in a perfect mood. It is a strange feeling,” said Klopp. “We drew but a lot of parts with the game I was pleased. We were fluent and created moments. We did it often enough and with a better decision we could have done more. It was the best performance versus Burnley since I have been here, but not results-wise.

“We had the chance to score but hit the crossbar. Luck was not wearing a Liverpool shirt.”

Burnley’s game plan was predictable but effective. Long diagonal balls were aimed towards Chris Wood, who drifted wide to challenge young right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. From such a move the visitors took a 26th-minute lead, the striker directing his header towards Liverpool’s area where Arfield was unchallenged, stroking cleanly past Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool levelled three minutes later. This time Dyche was rueing slack defending as a simple Emre Can pass picked out Salah. Naturally it was the Egyptian’s left foot slamming the ball past Pope.

Burnley offered little going forward, hoping another Liverpool error would earn them an unlikely win. It almost did. After Mee’s 81st-minute header off the line, Mignolet denied the same player from the resulting corner.

“Our game plan was not to come here and think we are going to keep the ball all afternoon,” said Dyche.

“They made seven changes, players who have been brought in for absolute fortunes, players on the bench who have come in for £30 million.

Philippe Coutinho in action for Liverpool
Philippe Coutinho in action for Liverpool Credit: GETTY IMAGES

“Everyone says they are having a tough time with set-pieces. We thought that would be important. We had two cleared off the line with set-pieces so our plan was right and to make things uncomfortable for them.”

Dyche did not have to justify his tactics. The fact Burnley have now won at Chelsea and taken a point at Tottenham and Liverpool also means there is more to this than the home side’s carelessness. A miserable away run last season is already being reversed.

“They are bit more assured,” said  Dyche. “Even against those superpower clubs, we think, let’s take it on. The challenge we have as managers is we are judged exactly the same but the playing field is not level. But I don’t want to make too much of a big deal because I believe in my players, however much they cost.”

When Liverpool lost Mane for a month last January, he returned to find his side had fallen off the pace in the Premier League.

With others sprinting out of the starting blocks this season, even the briefest absence of their key player may leave them playing catch-up  earlier than expected.

                                                                                                    

Sorry, Liverpool fans

That's a tough one to take. Well done Nick Pope on his full Burnley debut in goal - a fine performance. And not Liverpool's day.

Full-time

How, how, how, how, how, how, how did Liverpool not win that?

How?

How?

How?

Time on ball (at full time)

Average touch positions (full time)

90+3 min

Yet another Liverpool corner (the stats from this game will be ridiculous) is fired in, but the resulting shot is blocked on the way through to goal. Dyche points at his watch. Is that it?

90+2 min

Can tries a curler from a long way out and Pope - unsure as to whether it is going wide (it was) - turns it behind for a corner. But it comes to nothing.

90+1 min

The crowd are roaring the Liverpool players forward and the troops are responding. All Burnley man behind the ball. Is there time? Is there?

89 min

Klopp is arguing furiously with the fourth official. I'm not sure whether it's penalty-related or just general frustration. It looks like this is one that will get away...

Liverpool need no invitation to shoot so far

The hosts have fired in 32 shots with nine of them on target

88 min

That Mee challenge on Salah should have been a penalty. He dived in from behind and it didn't look like he got the ball, although I haven't seen a close-up replay so don't hold me to that.

Liverpool fans right now

86 min

CROSSBAR! Oh this is ridiculous. The crowd are convinced Liverpool should have a penalty as Mee takes out Salah (and they have a very strong argument). The ball still manages to work towards Solanke three yards out and his effort whacks against the crossbar.

84 min

Is this the moment? No! A wonderful save from Pope denies Alexander-Arnold, whose volley at the far post is well struck and takes a deflection on its way towards goal. The Burnley keeper gets down smartly to his left though and still the score remains 1-1.

83 min

Back come Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold goes early with the cross from right-back, but Solanke can't quite get enough on his header to force Pope into making the save.

81 min

Oh wow!  So close to another Burnley goal! Brady loops a deep corner to the far post, Mee rises highest and Mignolet is beaten, only for Matip to nod it off the line and over the bar.

A second corner comes in and Mee meets it well again, but this time Mignolet saves well with his thigh.

78 min

Coutinhooooooooooooooooooooooo? No. Nowhere near. He's been wonderful at beating men and spreading play today, but the Brazilian's shooting has been abysmal and this one would have flown over three goals piled on top of each other.

That will be all for him today. Here come reinforcements: Solanke and Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Coutinho and Firmino.

76 min

Burnley just had a shot! Brady cuts inside from the right and fires from range, but straight into Mignolet's hands. Imagine if they scored a second...

75 min

Coutinho plays out wide to Alexander-Arnold, whose cross is deflected for yet another Liverpool corner. Milner knocks back to Coutinho, who delivers long in the direction of Firmino... and he runs the ball out for a goal kick. I'm getting exasperated here and I'm not even a Liverpool fan. This is genuinely frustrating to watch.

Time on ball (60 - 75 min)

72 min

Here come the jeers from the Liverpool fans...

70 min

Forward they come again as Sturridge plays in Coutinho down the left. The Brazilian side-steps Lowton with ease, but another Burnley defender flies in to cover and put the ball behind.

69 min

Anfield is growing in impatience. Is this going to be "One Of Those Days" for Liverpool?

66 min

When will Klopp blink and use his subs? You can understand why he hasn't so far because Liverpool are flying. They. Just. Cannot. Score.

64 min

I'm struggling to keep on top of all the Liverpool chances. A sumptuous dink Sturridge dink plays in Milner, whose swivelled volley from about eight yards out is blocked on its way to goal.

63 min

Wrong option from Sturridge, who has the ball inside the Burnley penalty area. He could have slid in Alexander-Arnold down the left, but instead attempted to cut inside on the right and was dispossessed. I just cannot see how the visitors will hold on under this pressure for another half-hour.

Let me at them, gaffer

Credit: getty images

60 min

Blimey. This is relentless.

  • Coutinho's shot is deflected wide
  • Firmino has the ball whipped away from him in front of goal
  • Sturridge's drive is palmed behind by Pope

All in the space of about 90 seconds. Gudmundsson is replaced by Barnes.

Time on ball (45 - 60 min)

57 min

I wonder how many shots Liverpool are going to rack up in this match. This time it is Milner who drags his effort well wide of the Pope with the home side's 20th shot of the match. Most of them have been from outside the box.

55 min

A first yellow card of the match is greeted with cheers all around Anfield as Pope is shown a yellow card for time-wasting. Burnley are just desperate for any breather they can get their hands on at the moment.

54 min

Liverpool's players are lining up for a crack at goal. Eventually it is Can who tries his luck from just outside the 18-yard box and Pope is forced to beat it away and behind for a corner... which fails to beat the first man.

52 min

Alexander-Arnold continues to enjoy plenty of time up the field, but Brady is watching him like a hawk and dispossesses the young man as he bursts into the Burnley penalty area. The ball finds Coutinho - for the umpteenth time - though and he tries another long-range shot that flies well over the bar. Burnley cannot get close enough to Coutinho at the moment.

50 min

Every Burnley player is behind the ball with Coutinho in possession in opposition territory, but Klopp's side cannot break the opposition down. The Brazilian comes again with a second wave, showing some stunning close control and balance to put a couple of Burnley players on their backsides, but he then decides to shoot from range and his effort is wayward.

47 min

Liverpool are knocking the ball around at will, but they have to be incisive about it. Sturridge picks the ball up just inside the Burnley half and drives towards goal. On he goes until, 20 yards out, he attempts a little dink over Pope, but overcooks it slightly and the ball sails over the crossbar.

46 min

Burnley begin the second period. And promptly give the ball away. Surely Liverpool are going to win this. Surely...

There's been a lot of this...

... for Burnley fans

Credit: reuters

Half-time

It's been one-way traffic for almost the entire half. Coutinho has been pulling the strings for Liverpool, who have been utterly dominant. And yet they only have a point to their name as things stand thanks to Arfield's surprise opener. Can Liverpool make their possession count in the second half?

One-way traffic at Anfield

It's been all Liverpool, with the hosts racking up 15 shots so far - Burnley have managed just two in reply.

Time on ball (first half)

Average touch positions (half time)

45+2 min

One final chance of the half falls to Sturridge, who aims for the near post as he takes a position inside the right side of the penalty area, but Pope gets down well to hold on. It looks as though Liverpool will have to wait to take any lead today.

The hosts looking dangerous in this first half

Liverpool have been peppering the Burnley goal with 14 shots, with five of them on target

45 min

Another Burnley free-kick (the only way they are currently getting anywhere near Mignolet's goal) sees Brady deliver a dangerous cross behind the Liverpool defence, but Mee's header is well wide of the mark. Three minutes of added time to be played.

44 min

Coutinho is running the show as the driving force through central midfield. His run ends with the ball worked out to Salah, whose curled shot from the right flank is held by Pope.

42 min

Frustration is just starting to creep in among the home fans at Anfield as Liverpool delay their build-up play. They shouldn't worry though because Coutinho threads Sturridge through with an inch-perfect threaded pass. The England man controls the ball perfectly and drives it towards goal in one motion, but it hits the side-netting, the wrong side of Pope's near post.

39 min

A rare foray forward sees Brady with the opportunity to deliver a free-kick from the right side and into the Liverpool penalty area. Can he sow the seeds for another shock goal? The cross is deep, but Mignolet comes off his line to punch clear and away from danger.

36 min

The chances are coming. This time Sturridge dinks towards Salah at the far post, whose nod down is right into the danger area in front of Pope's goal about six yards out but there is no one there to put it in. Burnley had nine men in their own 18-yard box just then. Serious pressure.

Liverpool well on top so far

The home side are starting to cause problems in and around the Burnley penalty area.

35 min

Liverpool on the charge again. Milner delivers a stunning cross from the right and Tarkowski makes a complete hash of his attempted clearance at the front post. That allows it to find its way to Sturridge, but the Liverpool front man doesn't anticipate Tarkowski's error and fails to connect. Good chance that.

33 min

And breathe. Just three minutes between those two goals and Liverpool will be mighty relieved to have clawed one back after that shock Burnley opener. As has been the case throughout this half, the team in red continue to enjoy the overwhelming majority of possession.

Time on ball (15 - 30 min)

GOAL!

1-1: Mohamed Salah scores the leveller for Liverpool.

We have parity! Well that lead didn't last long did it? Can picks the ball up just inside the Liverpool half and knows exactly where Salah is going to be. The Egyptian cushions Can's long ball delightfully on his thigh, takes a touch and then finishes low past Pope. That's Salah's fourth goal in five games. 

GOAL!

0-1! The opening goal goes the way of Burnley and it's Scott Arfield who scores it.

Where on earth has this come from? Burnley have barely ventured into Liverpool's penalty area all match and yet they have taken the lead!!! A massive hoof upfield is superbly won by Brady down the left and the ball finds its way to Arfield. The central midfielder keeps his cool, hitting his strike first time from 15 yards and drilling it past Mignolet, who has no chance. 

Burnley finally respond

The visitors finally have a shot - Liverpool had already fired in seven without reply.

24 min

If anything, Liverpool's possession count is only increasing. Coutinho tries his luck from range, only to have the shot charged down. You suspect it's a matter of time until the home side take the lead, but it has to be said that Pope hasn't really been tested at all yet.

22 min

Liverpool are starting to crank things up a gear here. First Firmino narrowly misses out on collecting the ball after finding space inside the Burnley penalty area. Moments later Sturridge lofts a lovely ball towards Salah at the far post, but he cannot quite angle his header and instead nods it over the bar.

19 min

Just seen a replay of that penalty appeal and Salah goes down far too easily over Tarkowski's leg. The Burnley centre-back didn't move and Salah rather launched himself over him.

18 min

Brady is essentially playing as an auxiliary full-back down the left to protect Ward behind him with Alexander-Arnold enjoying lots of time high up the field.

The Kop are screaming for a penalty here as Salah goes down under pressure inside the Burnley box, but the referee is unmoved. Correct decision, I suspect.

Time on ball (0 - 15 min)

How many runs?

Six.

Liverpool are dominating the ball so far

Liverpool are letting the ball do the work - they've had 141 touches compared to just 51 for Burnley.

13 min

Burnley cannot keep hold of the ball at all. It's just a case of soaking up pressure and booting the ball clear. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

11 min

The huge bulk of possession has gone the way of the home team so far, but Pope is yet to be properly tested in the Burnley goal. Coutinho stands over a free-kick about 40 yards out now though. Surely he won't shoot. Nope, he spreads wide to Alexander-Arnold and Burnley snub the move out.

8 min

Coutinho is picking the ball up frequently in advanced central positions and revelling as the source of Liverpool's attacks. Alexander-Arnold is encouraged to have a crack from range but his shot dribbles well wide.

5 min

The returning Coutinho is busy already. Here he ducks one way before working the ball the other as he looks to pierce the Burnley defence. The ball is cleared, but not for long and the Burnley back four are quickly in panic mode again as a low, fizzing cross flies across goal, only to be thankfully lumped away again.

4 min

Ouch. Burnley lump a free-kick into the Liverpool box and the ball is cleared, but only after Klavan and Wood have smashed heads. Both men are down and receiving treatment. Wood is up fairly quickly but there is a little more concern about Klavan... who is eventually hauled to his feet by the doctor and there should be no lasting damage. Cue a delightful uncontested drop ball, followed by the requisite polite applause.

2 min

A first chance of the match sees Sturridge receive the ball just inside the edge of the Burnley penalty area. He fails to connect well with his snatched shot and Pope scoops up the bobbling ball.

1 min

Liverpool get things underway, knocking the ball around contentedly at the back as Burnley sit off. I suspect that might be the story of this game.

YNWA

The singing has just finished. Let's begin.

Nearly time

The players are in the tunnel preparing to come out. A full Premier League debut for Burnley keeper Nick Pope today after coming off the bench the other week.

For what it's worth I'm going for Liverpool 4 Burnley 1. And Coutinho will score precisely one goal.

He's here

It's Burnley fan Alastair Campbell of course... with laptop. Because everyone brings their laptop to watch Premier League football.

Credit: pa

Form book

What position are these chaps in? Well, Burnley go into this game ahead of Liverpool on goal difference alone, with both sides on seven points after four matches, and sitting eighth and ninth in the Premier League table.

Liverpool recent results: WIN 4-0 v Arsenal, LOSE 5-0 v Man City, DRAW 2-2 v Sevilla

Burnley recent results: WIN 2-0 v Blackburn, DRAW 1-1 v Tottenham, WIN 1-0 v Crystal Palace

Unease in the ranks

Plenty of confused emotions among Liverpool supporters on't social media.

Coutinho back = Wahoo.
Henderson and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench = If you say so.
Milner starting in midfield = Erm... ok.

Team analysis

Right, let's move from the keeper/no keeper japery.

The big news is: Philippe Coutinho is back in the Liverpool starting XI. And, talking of backs, Dejan Lovren is only on the bench because he's got a sore one. A sore back that is.

Daniel Sturridge, James Milner and Andy Robertson all start for Jurgen Klopp's side, but the Ox is only a substitute.

For Burnley, Nick Pope starts in goal (eventually) with Tom Heaton nursing a shoulder injury.

They've re-posted it!

Spot the difference.

Exhibit A:

 Exhibit B:

 They are of course forgetting a key thing: THE INTERNET NEVER FORGETS.

Having a mare

The eagle-eyed among you may also have noticed that Burnley right back Matthew Lowton has had his surname changed to Lawton on the Burnley Twitter feed.

Anyone getting the sense a social media vacancy may soon arise in the north-west?

Only need 10 men?

Have Burnley opted not to field a keeper today? That is bold. Seriously bold.

Hold on a minute... ARE THEY PLAYING MONKEY RUSH?

More team news

The men in the claret corner are:

Team news

Hello and welcome to 3pm Saturday top-flight football, featuring Liverpool and Burnley.

Today's runners and riders in the red corner are:

Match preview

What is it?

It's Liverpool vs Burnley, both sides' fifth match of the 2017/18 Premier League season.  

When is it?

It's today, so September 16, 2017.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off is at 15:00 BST.

What TV channel is it on?

This one isn't being broadcast live, but you can follow all the action as it happens right here with goal updates and in-game analysis.

What is the team news?

Liverpool

Playmaker Philppe Coutinho is in contention for his first start of the season. Egyptian winger Mohammed Salah, who scored against Sevilla in midweek, faces a late fitness test after being struck down with illness. Sadio Mane is suspended after his red card in last week's 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City. The Reds will also be without long-term absentees Danny Ings, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne, as well as reserve goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.

Burnley

Clarets boss Sean Dyche will be missing first-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in his collision with teammate Ben Mee during the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last Sunday. New striker Nakhi Wells and long-serving midfielder Dean Marney are both out, but midfielder Jeff Hendrick is in contention to return having recovered from a thigh strain.

What are they saying?

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: "I really like is what Sean Dyche is doing [at Burnley]. They have a clear plan. You see it in every game. They don’t take one step left or one step right. They stick to the plan. It’s good that everyone knows they had two away games and took four points. It’s not an easy game for us and that’s something I’ve got to consider."

Burnley boss Sean Dyche: "[Liverpool] are a good side, without a shadow of a doubt, and they have a lot of strength in depth. Our players are aware these are tough places to go to but we have enjoyed the challenge so far this season. We have delivered decent performances away from home [so far this season] and we are looking to do that again."

What does the table look like? 

What are the odds?

  • Liverpool to win: 1/4
  • Draw: 51/10
  • Burnley to win: 23/2

What's our prediction?

This is the kind of fixture Liverpool should win if they have the cushion of a three goal lead with 20 minutes remaining. Anything less, and Sean Dyche will tell his Burnley players they can benefit from Anfield’s lack of composure epidemic. Jurgen Klopp’s side's inability to withstand pressure has already costing them points this season – both Watford and Sevilla demonstrating being outplayed is no barrier to success against this Liverpool team.    

Chris Bascombe's prediction: Liverpool 3 Burnley 1

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