Champions dominated possession but struggled to break through until a 93rd minute penalty
Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Burnley, though head coach Arne Slot admitted his side were “lucky” to leave Turf Moor with three points.
Mohamed Salah converted a stoppage-time penalty after substitute Hannibal Mejbri was penalised for handling Jeremie Frimpong’s cross. It was the fourth straight league match in which Liverpool have secured a winning goal in the closing stages, after wins against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
“It is hard to create chances against a team with 11 players in the 18-yard box,” said Slot. “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 dominated possession against Burnley’s 5-3-2 but struggled to break through until the 93rd minute, when Mejbri’s handball offered Salah the chance to settle the contest from the spot. The Clarets, who had Lesley Ugochukwu sent off late on, were seconds away from earning a well deserved point against the champions.
“A draw was probably what we expected throughout the game,” said Slot, “but we tried with the substitutions we made to bring all the players we can that can attack on the pitch, we had six or seven on in the end.
“I don’t know if that has anything to do with scoring the goal but we did create the penalty and just before a big chance from Jeremie [Frimpong]. So relief, lucky.”
