LIVERPOOL 1 VS. 1 BURNLEY
Liverpool – Wirtz 42’
Burnley – Edwards 65’
Pre-Match
Liverpool won a whole game midweek, and now we’re back in Premier League action hoping that they can repeat that feat against Burnley. Hugo Ekitike returns
to the starting line-up, along with Ryan Gravenberch.
First Half
Burnley are playing with a back five, which is stretching the midfield in initial few minutes of the game. Liverpool come close within the first five minutes. Kerkez delivers a lovely ball right in front of the face of goal. Curtis Jones nearly gets to it, but it’s cleared away before what would have been an easy tap-in.
Liverpool are doing well with the majority of the possession. They’re probing at a stalwart Burnley backline, but haven’t quite found a way through the traffic jam. Wirtz and Ekitike look particularly lively, working together to try to break the deadlock.
In a very disappointing moment about 30 minutes in, Cody Gakpo earns a clear penalty in the box. Without penalty expert Mohamed Salah available, it’s Dominik Szoboszlai takes it on. He smashes the shot against the crossbar, and Liverpool squander the chance to take the lead before halftime.
Moments later, Gakpo is denied, his shot saved and the rebound flown into the crowd by Frimpong.
Kerkez is booked for sliding into a Burnley player in Burnley’s out area while trying to toe the ball to Gakpo.
We did it, team! After a very long half, it’s Wirtz who gets the first goal for the home team. No surprise, based on the performances today, it’s Wirtz and Ekitike working together to make the goal happen. Wirtz seals the deal in the near post and finally give Liverpool a much-deserved lead.
Second Half
Liverpool come back from the break looking hungry. Wirtz slaloms through the Burnley defense, nearly getting the shot off until he’s finally overwhelmed by opponents in front of the net. The goalkeeper does just enough to nick it away.
On the next play, Gakpo’s chance is cleared off the line. It’s the Reds who appear closest to scoring a second, but you never know.
As I say this, goodness me, it’s nearly a disaster in the back. Burnley go on the break, and Konaté intercepts by sending it sailing towards his own goal. Luckily, Alisson is alive to the danger, and blocks the shot from his own defender. It ends with a corner that is easily dealt with by the Reds.
What isn’t easily dealt with is Marcus Edwards’ equalizer mere moments later. Liverpool never fail to fail to disappoint this season.
Szoboszlai tries his luck on the other end, but his deflected shot is easy for the goalkeeper.
Ekitike has a goal ruled out for handball, denying Liverpool the lead.
Mac Allister, Ngumoha and Robertson come in for Gravenberch, Kerkez, and Gakpo.
Liverpool are pushing for the winner. Szoboszlai fires into the Kop. Moments later, Jones first across the face of goal, but Ekitike is just a step too far to get it into the near post.
Jones comes off for Chiesa.
Unfortunately, the Reds can’t get the winner, and they pick up yet another draw.
Final Thoughts
Sigh.
