Premier League: Burnley finish Liverpool’s 68-match unbeaten streak at Anfield

Image Source : GETTY IMAGES It was Burnley’s first win at Liverpool since 1974 and it leaves Jürgen Klopp’s facet six factors behind chief Manchester United midway by means of its title protection.
Liverpool’s 68-match unbeaten streak at Anfield within the Premier League ended with a 1-0 loss to Burnley on Thursday within the newest setback of a fading title protection.

Ashley Barnes scored from the penalty spot within the 83rd minute after the ahead was introduced down by goalkeeper Alisson Becker as Burnley turned the primary crew to win within the league at Anfield since April 2017.

“We lost a game which I think it’s actually impossible to lose,” Klopp advised broadcaster Sky Sports. “But we did it, and that’s my fault as a result of my job is to be sure that the boys have the precise emotions — the correct amount of confidence, they make the precise choices.”

It was Burnley’s first win at Liverpool since 1974 and it leaves Jürgen Klopp’s facet six factors behind chief Manchester United midway by means of its title protection, having not scored in 4 successive video games.

“We had the ball a lot, we created some situations but, in the final moment, obviously our decision-making is not right at the moment, that’s the problem,” Klopp said. “I have to make it clearer. How you come in behind their last line, these kind of things. That’s the job we have to do.”

Frustrations boiled over on the halftime whistle as Barnes reacted angrily to Fabinho showing to flick out at him, scary a small melee, however referee Mike Dean solely confirmed the Brazilian a yellow card. Meanwhile Klopp and Burnley supervisor Sean Dyche had their very own heated alternate as they headed down the tunnel.

“I didn’t start it, but it’s nothing,” Klopp stated. “All good.”

While Liverpool is chasing a record-equaling twentieth English title, Burnley is making an attempt to remain within the league and it moved seven factors above the drop zone.

“We knew if we keep believing we will get something,” Barnes said. “We were growing into the game. We managed to stick to our jobs, slow everything down, and it worked.”

Liverpool was once more made to pay for its lack of a innovative — having left the out-of-form Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino on the bench for an hour — and the crew has now gone 7 hours, 18 minutes with out scoring within the league.

The solely level taken off Liverpool at residence in final season’s title cost got here in a draw with Burnley.

Dyche’s crew completed this recreation with the identical quantity of possession — 29% — however crucially went one higher.

Burnley employed related ways of defending resolutely, competing bodily and taking the chance when it arose.

The identical couldn’t be stated for Klopp’s facet, which had 27 makes an attempt however solely six on course.

With captain Jordan Henderson out with a minor groin drawback and Salah and Firmino rested, the onus was placed on replacements Divock Origi, who has one league aim since December 2019, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Neither lived as much as the billing and had been taken off earlier than the hour-mark, with Origi lacking the possibility of the evening simply earlier than halftime.

An uncharacteristic mis-kick from Burnley captain Ben Mee put Origi clear by means of, however his lack of recreation time and confidence confirmed as he blasted a shot previous goalkeeper Nick Pope however towards the crossbar.

The Belgium striker’s solely aim this season got here within the 7-2 League Cup victory at Lincoln.

Pope arrived at Anfield with 5 clear sheets in his final 10 league video games, however he was not correctly examined within the opening 45 minutes.

Sadio Mane had an early header blocked by Dwight McNeil, however there adopted a succession of pictures from Xherdan Shaqiri, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Origi and Andy Robertson which the England worldwide handled comfortably.

Burnley’s one actual alternative got here when Alisson dropped a cross beneath strain from Chris Wood, however he reacted nicely to dam Barnes’ shot.

Just over 10 minutes into the second half and with the sport drifting, Klopp despatched on Salah and Firmino, with the Egyptian straight into the motion by forcing Pope into his first respectable save low at his close to publish.

Burnley substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson blazed vast from shut vary, nevertheless it was not as unhealthy because the Firmino effort which was so off-target that compatriot Alisson, 80 yards away, dropped to his knees, held his head and let loose a yell.

After Burnley’s aim, Liverpool chased an equalizer however Firmino’s close-range shot was deflected vast by Mee.

“It obviously didn’t work out tonight and that’s what we have to admit,” Klopp stated. “It’s obviously my fault.”