DEPTH AT THE DEATH

A hasty challenge by Burnley’s substitute Hannibal and a skilful penalty by Mo Salah clinched Liverpool’s victory at the end, yet the true catalyst was manager Arne Slot’s strategic substitutions that energized his squad in pursuit of a win.

Needing impetus, ideas and energy late on, Liverpool benefited hugely from what Jeromie Frimpong, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa brought them. 

The three players were not on the field long at all. Ngumoha and Frimpong, for example, didn’t arrive until the 87th minute. 

Liverpool have snatched late victories in three out of four Premier League matches, scoring crucial goals in the 88th, 100th, and now the 95th minutes. Without these decisive moments, Slot’s team would find themselves in mid-table, facing scrutiny instead of leading the Premier League standings.

“We were bracing for a draw, but given the substitutes available, we opted to bring on all our attacking players,” Slot commented. “During that period, we earned the penalty and fashioned another solid opportunity. Perhaps luck was on our side…”

Federico Chiesa made a difference coming off the bench for Liverpool against Burnley

FOUR INTO THREE

Though Liverpool didn’t exhibit their finest performance, with a bit more composure and fortune, they might have secured victory without resorting to a penalty. It has become evident how they will configure their formation upon Alexander Isak’s return to fitness.

Hugo Ekitike led the attack but was most effective when cutting in from the left flank. During the first half, he beautifully weaved inside and nearly scored with a shot across the goal. This fluidity signifies his likely position once Isak integrates, possibly at the expense of Cody Gakpo’s playing time.

This promises a formidable offense, though Salah must rediscover his top form. The previous year’s standout player delivered a stellar goal in the season opener against Bournemouth and executed a fantastic penalty this time, yet overall, his recent performances have been below par.

At times against Burnley he was really very poor. Slot said afterwards that he does occasionally think about taking Salah off but can’t bring himself to actually do it! ‘Taking Mo off when we need a goal won’t happen very often’ he said. ‘But, yes, you do think about all the subs you could possibly make’. 

Isak, meanwhile, will make his debut on Wednesday in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid or in next Saturday’s Merseyside derby. 

‘We got him from Newcastle in a state where his pre-season basically starts now,’ explained Slot. ‘He will be able to play 45 minutes on Wednesday or next Saturday, but not both.’

Mo Salah scored the winner but had another poor game and needs to find form quickly

BRADLEY OR FRIMPONG?

Such have been his problems with injuries, it has been easy to forget a little about Conor Bradley. The flying Frimpong was the player bought to nominally replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and he got the nod on day one against Bournemouth. 

But – with Frimpong getting injured that night and only returning to the bench himself here – it was Bradley who was sent on as Slot changed things at half-time. 

The young Irishman is not as direct as Frimpong and does not have Alexander-Arnold’s passing range – who does? – but he is technically fabulous, has a natural understanding of when to inject urgency into a movement and gives Liverpool balance simply by occupying the position naturally. 

Liverpool were much better once Bradley came on at Turf Moor. Sadly others around him were not quite always able to find the same wavelength.

Conor Bradley (left) and Jeremie Frimpong (right) are competing for the right-back slot 

OLIVER IN CONTROL

The home crowd spent much of the game getting on the referee’s back, seemingly convinced that Michel Oliver had it in for them. It was hard to see the evidence. 

The official got the penalty spot on at the death and was right to caution Lesley Ugochukwu when he clattered through Alexis MacAllister much earlier on. Yes, he got the ball but he also took far too much of the man with his studs raised. 

The second yellow – and sending off – that followed with six minutes left was impossible to argue with but Oliver actually made his best call in the 22nd minute. Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch – who quietly instigates much of his team’s best football – had combined beautifully down the left to put Milos Kerkez to the byline only for the Liverpool left-back to throw himself to the ground. 

Oliver booked him immediately and was right to. It was an utterly stupid act from the Liverpool player. ‘I have told him it wasn’t smart,’ said Slot. 

‘But he said he felt a contact. It wasn’t a foul, though. I have to say it’s funny that the two times in my time here that one of my players has done that, they have been booked both times. But diving happens a lot in football.’

Michael Oliver had an assured game and the referee got all the big calls correct 

WALKER A DIFFERENT PLAYER

The reason Manchester City were so happy to let Kyle Walker go was because he had lost a yard of that devastating pace that defined him. It clearly isn’t coming back. Here he did look vulnerable in the occasional one-on-situation. 

In the second half, for example, Gakpo stood him up and went by him as though he wasn’t there. Walker is a clever and experienced footballer, though, and at times his know-how and football intelligence shone through. 

At 35, he may never play for England again but as long as he continues to adapt his game and doesn’t allow himself to be placed in positions where his new-found limitations are exposed, he could be vital to Burnley’s chances of survival. 

Scott Parker’s team may also need a little more luck. That’s two late penalties that have denied them, here and in their last game at Manchester United. ‘It’s heartbreaking,’ said Parker. 

‘This could have been a really powerful moment but it’s happened two weeks in a row. It’s probably a penalty but we are going to have to teach players to jump and block with their arms behind their backs. It will be a completely new technique, never seen before in football.’ 

As Parker sat and talked in the Turf Moor press room, it was almost possible to reach out and touch the sarcasm.