Liverpool would have most well-liked a extra easy afternoon however their 1-0 win at Burnley might show the best warmup for Wednesday’s conflict with Atletico Madrid.
Burnley 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League (4) | Turf Moor
September 14, 2025
Aim: Mistaken Pen 90+5 ′
1. Think about being an Arsenal fan
Rational evaluation of what unfolded at Turf Moor can wait a second – simply take a second as a substitute to think about you have been a supporter of a workforce hoping to rival Liverpool for the Premier League this season watching that recreation.
Lastly, it appeared just like the luck would run out, and people flaws evident throughout the opening three fixtures have been eventually going to be uncovered.
And certainly, you’d assume, it wouldn’t be lengthy till these points have been persistently leading to dropped factors, permitting one other workforce to cost into prime spot.
However someway, Liverpool pulled off their acquainted trick but once more, discovering a late winner in fortuitous circumstances as soon as once more to ship distant controls hurling at televisions all throughout the nation.
In the end, hate-watching Liverpool is simply not a worthwhile pastime nowadays.
2. Reds’ assault isn’t fairly proper
That it got here to Liverpool needing a late, late winner owed a lot to the truth that they as soon as once more confirmed a weak point that was maybe going underneath the radar throughout the three video games.
The Reds might have gone into the primary worldwide break because the league’s prime scorers with eight objectives, however that they had managed that from simply 3.4xG – an unsustainable return.
And as a lot might be seen right here of their failure to interrupt down Burnley‘s low block, with simply three pictures on course having been taken earlier than Mohamed Salah‘s penalty.
It’s clear that the modifications made up prime this summer time imply it’s going to take some time for issues to actually click on within the closing third.
Arne Slot can solely hope that occurs rapidly, and that his workforce proceed to choose up three factors regardless within the meantime.
3. Kerkez sub no actual shock
Slot proved in his first aggressive recreation as Liverpool supervisor that he wasn’t afraid to make powerful selections, hauling Jarell Quansah off at half-time at Ipswich.
Nevertheless it nonetheless felt like a shock to see the Dutchman be fairly so ruthless with Milos Kerkez right here, not even ready till the break to switch him with Andy Robertson.
That stated, there could be no doubting it was the suitable name given the Hungarian had picked up a unnecessary reserving with a dive and appeared primed for one more as a part of a rash show.
In fact, that’s disappointing, however it actually shouldn’t be forgotten that regardless of Kerkez’s robust begin to life at Liverpool, he’s nonetheless solely 21 years outdated.
As such, there could also be additional events this season the place he’s pulled out of the firing line and Robertson’s expertise is most well-liked.
4. Konate and van Dijk Colossal
Liverpool wouldn’t have been within the place to mount a late smash-and-grab had it not been for the truth that that they had so relentlessly penned Burnley in all through the 90 minutes.
And key to that have been the performances of centre-half pairing Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, who placed on a colossal efficiency up in opposition to a bodily, direct workforce in windy circumstances.
Konate received extra duels (14) than every other participant on the pitch, whereas Van Dijk wasn’t too far behind with 10.
That offered a platform for the Reds to not give Burnley a sniff and declare the clear sheet that set them as much as win it.
5. Nice preparation for Atletico
In fact Liverpool will now flip their attentions to the Champions League and a midweek assembly with Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
However Slot may arguably not have requested for higher preparation for that recreation than arising in opposition to the decided low block Burnley provided right here.
Atletico are masters of these techniques and can look to frustrate Liverpool in the same means, and it’s onerous to think about them sneaking a win ought to they get simply 4 of 27 pictures on course once more.
Nonetheless, if they’re searching for a solution to that drawback, then having Alexander Isak on the bench can be no unhealthy factor.
