MX23RW : Friday, March 29 11:31:48| >> :120:25129:25129:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 18
Jan 21, 2021 at 8pm UK
Anfield
Burnley logo

Liverpool
0 - 1
Burnley


Fabinho (45+2'), Matip (87')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Barnes (83' pen.)
Barnes (39')

Liverpool's issues continue as Burnley secure famous Anfield win

Ashley Barnes scored the winner for the visitors from the penalty spot.

Liverpool's seven-hour goal drought eventually caught up with them as Burnley pulled off a shock 1-0 victory at Anfield which ended an unbeaten home Premier League record of almost four years.

Ashley Barnes' 83rd-minute penalty – his 100th senior career club goal – inflicted the first league loss on home soil for Jurgen Klopp's side since Crystal Palace in April 2017, after a run of 68 matches undefeated.

The defending champions were again made to pay for their lack of a cutting edge – having left the out-of-form Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino on the bench for an hour – and it is now seven hours and 18 minutes since they last found the net in the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp shows his frustration on the touchline
Jurgen Klopp shows his frustration on the touchline (Peter Powell/PA)

It was a famous victory for Burnley, whose last win on this ground came in September 1974 courtesy of Ian Brennan's goal.

Last season they were the only side to take a point off Liverpool at home as they raced to the title, and they finished this game with the same amount of possession – 29 per cent – but crucially went one better.

They employed similar tactics of defending resolutely, competing physically and taking the opportunity when it arose.

The same could not be said for Klopp's side, who had 27 attempts but only six on target, and they are now six points behind leaders Manchester United.

A fifth win of the season lifted Burnley to 19 points, but the confidence of the result will be just as important.

With captain Jordan Henderson out with a minor groin problem and Salah and Firmino rested, the onus was put on replacements Divock Origi, with one league goal since December 2019, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Neither lived up to the billing and did not last the hour, although not before Origi missed the chance of the night just before half-time.

The Belgium striker's only goal this season came in the 7-2 Carabao Cup victory at Lincoln and his stock falls lower by the week having used up all his credit from that famous Champions League semi-final double against Barcelona in 2019.

An uncharacteristic mis-kick from Clarets captain Ben Mee put Origi clean through, but his lack of game time and confidence showed as he blasted a shot past Nick Pope but against the crossbar when what was required was placement and a calmness under pressure.

It was a chance he just had to take to prove his value as back-up to the established front three.

Divock Origi shows his disappointment against Burnley
Divock Origi should have put Liverpool in front (Jon Super/PA)

Pope arrived at Anfield with five clean sheets in his last 10 league games, which did not bode well for Klopp's goal-shy side, but he was not properly tested in the opening 45 minutes.

Sadio Mane had an early header blocked by Dwight McNeil, but there followed a succession of shots from Xherdan Shaqiri, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Origi and Andy Robertson which the England international dealt with comfortably.

Frustrations boiled over at the half-time whistle as Barnes reacted angrily to Fabinho appearing to flick out at him, provoking a small melee, but referee Mike Dean showed the Brazilian a yellow card and VAR agreed.

Meanwhile Klopp and Sean Dyche, who were both halfway down the tunnel, had their own heated exchange

Burnley's one real opportunity came when Alisson dropped a cross under pressure from Chris Wood, but he reacted well to block Barnes' shot.

Ashley Barnes celebrates at Anfield
Ashley Barnes netted Burnley's winner (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Just over 10 minutes into the second half and with the game drifting, Klopp sent on Salah and Firmino, with the former straight into the action by forcing Pope into his first decent save low at his near post.

Burnley substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson blazed wide from close range, but it was not as bad as the Firmino effort which was so off-target compatriot Alisson, 80 yards away, dropped to his knees, held his head and let out a yell.

There were more more shouts of frustration when Alexander-Arnold's cross hit Erik Pieters' arm in the penalty area.

Having spent most of the preceding 83 minutes on the back foot, Burnley were presented with a chance of producing a shock at Anfield and they seized it.

Alisson brought down Barnes and the Clarets forward stepped up to score.

And there was to be no lucky escape for the hosts as Firmino's close-range shot was deflected wide by Mee, who knew little about his intervention.

ID:431564: cacheID:431564:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11302:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on January 4, 2021
Read Next:
Jurgen Klopp: 'We must be more resilient'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!