Checkout Why Liverpool Long Anfield Record Was Broken And Player Ratings
Liverpool’s dismal start to the new year continues with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sean Dyche’s resilient Burnley team. The disappointing loss followed a similar theme since the start of the Liverpool long Anfield record run plenty of possession but nothing to show for at the end of the day.
It is now 440 minutes since Sadio Mane found the back of the net against West Brom, but perhaps what is more worrying is that Jurgen Klopp’s side hardly looked like they were truly capable of breaking the duck against the Clarets, despite boasting 72% of the possession.
To make matters worse, the air of invincibility around Anfield seems to have evaporated as Ashley Barnes tucked away his 83rd-minute penalty, ending their 68-game unbeaten home run in the Premier League.
It was yet another dreadful performance and Klopp will be desperate to put a halt to Liverpool’s wretched run, pulling the brakes before Liverpool’s spiral down the league table goes out of hand.
We are not convinced it was a penalty, but having been on the end of some truly mindboggling refereeing decisions throughout the campaign, we cannot be sure anymore.
Alisson made an incredible save (although Barnes was flagged for offside) and looked comfortable all evening, but was eventually culpable as he gave away the foul that led to the penalty.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 4/10
It is clear as day that he needs a break, and it is becoming increasingly painful to watch as Alexander-Arnold labours through the matches. The 23-year-old is desperately struggling for form and cannot seem to hit a five-yard pass, let alone swinging in his trademark crosses which we all grew accustomed to.
Another terrible day in the office as all of his crosses somehow failed to find anyone in red and was also twisted inside-out by Dwight McNeil; Klopp has to surely look at Neco Williams as an option for the next match now.
Joel Matip: 7/10
The Cameroon defender came back from injury and provided the expertise and experience that the Reds sorely missed. Dealt extremely well with the battering Barnes and Chris Wood, which is never an easy task for defenders. Matip needs to remain fit if Liverpool were to recover from this woeful form.
Fabinho: 7/10
The most consistent player for the Reds this campaign; Fabinho hardly put a foot wrong as he found himself alongside another defensive partner. Playing out of position is hard enough, but the Brazilian has dealt superbly with all the circumstances and remains the only reason Liverpool is still not shopping this transfer market.
Andy Robertson: 5/10
Looked a little out of sorts going forward, the Scotland international was far from his influential best this evening. Robertson was equally culpable of chalking up the number of wayward crosses that Burnley defenders dealt with comfortably all evening, and his usual link-up with Sadio Mane was missing too.
Thiago Alcantara: 6/10
Sat in front of the back four throughout the game, you begin to wonder if a player of his talent would be more effective slightly further up the pitch. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson’s absence in midfield means that Thiago is somewhat leashed, as he tries to provide the defensive shield and dictate play from deep.