Liverpool have lost a Premier League home for the first time since April 2017 as Ashley Barnes’ late penalty earned Burnley a 1-0 win, bringing the champions’ 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield to an end.
Liverpool’s alarming recent form continued as they failed to score or win for the fourth successive league game. They were once again met by an inspired Nick Pope, but their best chance came in the first half when Divock Origi smashed the crossbar.
The opening period ended in a fiery encounter between both players and managers after a Fabinho tackle on Barnes, raising tensions for the second half. But despite Liverpool’s chances, it was a poor challenge from Alisson that sent Barnes over and handed Burnley the match-winning penalty.
Fabinho let the ball run back to Alisson, but Barnes was alert to the situation and the goalkeeper swiped at his legs to send the striker over. Despite Alisson’s protests, it was a clear-cut penalty and the striker converted for his 100th career goal.
It is the first time Burnley have won at Anfield in 46 years and leaves the Reds six points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United in fourth, while Burnley have gone above Brighton into 16th.
Burnley defender Ben Mee was adjudged the man of the match after a captain’s performance helped the team to a famous win. He made a joint-high two tackles and blocks with a massive 14 clearances too.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blamed himself for losing a game that was “impossible to lose”
“The game was impossible to lose, but we did. That’s my fault because it’s my job to make sure the boys have the right feelings, the right amount of confidence and make the right decisions.
“When you have the problem of something not working you have to try harder, longer and more often and make better decisions. It’s obviously didn’t work out tonight and we have to admit that, there’s nothing else to say about it.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche was on the other hand pleased with the performance of his players.
“I think we did the basics very well. Structure of the side, shape of the side, individual diligence. Players doing their jobs when they had to.
“It was the will and desire from the defenders and the goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet and the work rate of the two forwards as well. You cannot just defend from the back four, you have to defend from the whole side and I think everyone did that well.”
On the half-time spat with Klopp, he said, “You know when we come to these places, we are allowed to actually fight, we are allowed to try to win. That is all it was. A couple of things got said but nothing out of the normal. It is just two managers fighting for their teams, wanting to win a game. There is nothing wrong with that.”
Liverpool face Manchester United next on Sunday, January 24 in the FA Cup, at Old Trafford.
