Fallen On Their Turf.

over 3 years ago

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Liverpool has never lost at home for 68 games and that is 1,369 games but Burnley came with the threat and made sure that long stretch is broken.

Liverpool made changes to the line up with Salah on the bench while Origi and Shaqiri patterned with Mane upfront. Liverpool definitely had eyes for the Liverpool tie coming up on Sunday for the FA Cup so it made logical sense for him to rest some players.

Both started the game well but Liverpool had the better chances to go ahead but their attacks were inconclusive as nothing came from the series of attempts and efforts they had.

Allison dropped the ball in the 13th minute and Burnley almost scored from that. It was a scare for Liverpool but they recovered from that. Chamberlain had his effort saved as well in the 23rd minute.

Origi had two brilliant chances to take the lead for Liverpool but he fluffed his lines. He hit a tame effort at goal without power in the 29th minute and then tried to make amends in the 32nd minute when he added power to his shot but his shot was straight at the middle which didn't threaten Nick Pope for long.

Burnley had their own few chances too but they didn't really prove to be more of a threat to Liverpool.

Burnley's skipper; Ben Mee almost gifted Liverpool the advantage to stay ahead in the game when his attempted back pass to the keeper failed to move with the force intended and Origi pounced. He took advantage of that and was clear on a one on one situation only for his effort to have too much of a power and bend and after beating the goalkeeper, he couldn't beat the post and his effort rattled the edge of the crossbar much to the disappointment of the benched Salah. Mane was already running behind Origi just in case but then, the goalkeeper comfortably gathered the ball. It was a great chance missed and that alone would cost Liverpool the victory on the night.

Mane tried to make amends for Origi's earlier miss when he tried to unlock the defence but was brought down. He won a free-kick at the edge of the box and Alexander Arnold took it but it went far, wide and not handsome.

The first half ended 0-0 and Origi's miss would have to be the topic of discussion in the locker room.

Arnold had a brilliant strike saved in the 50th minute. It was a lovely attempt by him and an equally brilliant save too.

In the 60th minute, Wijnaldum who was the captain on the night had a brilliant run right to the edge of the box and released the Substitute, Salah in the box but his effort was brilliantly saved again by the impressive Nick Pope on the night.

Ashley Barnes had a lovely ball to him but he failed to hit it first time which would have caught the keeper a bit unaware but he eventually hit it but Allison saved it before it was ruled for offside.

Burnley sensed they could get something from this game as they had few other chances that went wide. Firmino was another culprit on the night when Pope's throw to Lowton put him under pressure and Firmino had the opportunity to put Liverpool ahead only for him to fire his effort wide.

The moment of truth came in the 82nd minute when Allison clashed with Barnes in the box. He caught him and Barnes was clever too as he drew a touch from Allison. The referee had no choice than to point to the spot kick which was validated also by VAR. Barnes stepped up and moved from 99 senior goals to 100 goals on the night. He hammered home his effort away from the trailing hands of Allison.

Liverpool has now gone 4 games without a goal and the last time they scored and won was when they played Crystal Palace and put them to a 7-0 demolition course. It means Liverpool hasn't won nor scored in this new year.

Arnold tried to get at least a draw for his team when he released a wonderful strike that almost went in with deflections here and there.

Burnley didn't relent too and almost added a second when McNeil's effort flashed wide of the goal. The game ended 1-0 in favour of Burnley and a defeat to Liverpool. Liverpool would have to go back to the drawing board as they are now 6 points off the leader, Manchester United as they didn't do enough to close the gap.

Barnes is the hero of the night and the last time Liverpool lost at home was against Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace then and now, Sean Dyche has done it with Burnley.

Thank you for your time.

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