Liverpool once again relied on late drama to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season, edging past Burnley 1–0 at Turf Moor thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from Mohamed Salah.
It was not pretty. Arne Slot’s champions dominated possession yet struggled to break down a Burnley side who defended deep and in numbers. For long spells, it appeared the Reds would have to settle for a frustrating goalless draw.
But when Clarets substitute Hannibal Mejbri handled Jeremie Frimpong’s cross five minutes into added time, Salah kept his cool from the spot to hand Liverpool their fourth successive victory of the campaign.
Slot, though, was the first to admit his team had fortune on their side.
“There were no really open chances,” the Dutchman reflected. “A draw was probably what we expected throughout the game. So relief, lucky.”
The Liverpool boss explained how Burnley’s defensive organisation forced his side into a battle of patience.
“I know how hard it is to create chances against a team with 11 players in the 18-yard box,” he said.
“It’s very good that they do this as they almost got a point, I’m not saying anything negative about them, I’m just explaining how difficult it is against a Premier League team who defends with everyone back and doesn’t bring the ball out.
“If we don’t score from a set-piece the only thing you can do is score from open play which is quite difficult if you have to play 11 players in their 18-yard box.”
Liverpool had introduced a host of attacking players in the second half as Slot chased a winner, throwing caution to the wind with “six or seven” forwards on the pitch by full-time.
“We tried with the substitutions we made to bring on to the pitch all the players we have who can attack,” he said. “I don’t know if that has anything to do with scoring the goal but we did create the penalty and just before that a big chance from Jeremie.”
For all the talk of Isak’s arrival and the prospect of new heroes emerging, it was the old reliable who once again made the difference. Salah, Liverpool’s talisman since 2017, delivered in the decisive moment, coolly converting from 12 yards to break Burnley hearts.
The Egyptian’s strike sealed three points in a match where Liverpool had laboured, but champions often find ways to win. As Slot admitted, it was a case of fortune meeting persistence – and the Reds, however narrowly, march on.
