Lowly Burnley snaps Liverpool’s unbeaten streak
FOOTBALL
LIVERPOOL: Champion Liverpool suffered a shock 10 defeat by lowly Burnley yesterday ending its 68match unbeaten home record in the English Premier League as its title defence continues to fade.
An 83rdminute penalty from Ashley Barnes, after he was brought down by goalkeeper Alisson Becker, decided the contest after Juergen Klopp’s side failed to score for the fourth straight league match.
Matt Lowton nodded a header into the box and Barnes wriggled free of Fabinho and went down under challenge from Becker, rising to confidently convert from the spot.
Liverpool has not won for five games in the league and trails leader Manchester United by six points, in fourth place.
‘‘We can’t imagine the title race at the moment,’’ Klopp, who had previously watched his team lose at home in the Premier League in April 2017 when it was beaten by Crystal Palace.
‘‘When I look back I think how is it possible we lost this game but we did.’’
It was Burnley’s first victory at Anfield since a 10 victory in September 1974 and Sean Dyche’s side was rewarded for a superb defensive display.
Divock Origi had struck the bar for Liverpool in the first half, with only Burnley keeper Nick Pope to beat and Roberto Firmino missed a good chance after the break.
But for all its pressure and 73% possession, Liverpool struggled to create real openings, as Ben Mee and James Tarkowski were outstanding in the centre of Burnley’s defence.
When Liverpool did manage to find space for a shot, Burnley keeper Nick Pope was up to the test, getting down well to keep out efforts from Trent AlexanderArnold and substitute Mohamed Salah.
The Clarets, who made a poor start to the season, moved up to 16th place on 19 points.
Burnley drew 11 at Anfield last season and Dyche was full of praise for his team.
‘‘We were close last year. You get a feel of a performance and I said ‘you are used to playing against these players, working without the ball, there’s always a chance and you have to take it’.’’ — Reuters