EPL 2017/18: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley, 5 talking points
Liverpool's week got from bad to worse as they were held by a sturdy Burnley side at Anfield a few hours ago. After throwing away a 2-1 lead against Sevilla in mid-week, the clash against Burnley was supposed to be a straight-forward one for the Reds. However, the players looked jaded and failed to pick up all three points.
Jurgen Klopp made quite a few changes to the team that started against Sevilla. The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and James Milner started while Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold returned as the two full-backs. Dejan Lovren was rested for Ragnar Klavan while Simon Mignolet returned for League action ahead of Loris Karius.
It wasn't a rip-roaring start for Liverpool by any means as Burnley were extremely well organised. They even managed to take the lead when Matip and Klavan misjudged a cross and Scott Arfield found the back of the net with a neat side-foot finish.
Jurgen Klopp's side hit back almost instantly, though, as Emre Can found the man-in-form Mohamed Salah who controlled and slotted the ball past Nick Pope. Despite peppering the Burnley goal, Liverpool were denied by the Burnley custodian and had to settle for a point.
Here are five talking points from the game.
#5 What is it with Liverpool and the second ball problem?
Klopp has managed to build a side who can make a super fast transition from defence to attack, but the same cannot be said for their shape when transitioning from attack to defence. The biggest instance of this has to be their inability to win the second balls.
Against some of the teams who play one up front and crowd their own penalty box, it's imperative to win the second ball or the knockdown as often, the one player up front is a big, burly lad. Chris Wood did a pretty decent job with the limited service he had and his presence was enough to put off both Matip and Klavan for Arfield to sneak in and smash home the opener.
The lack of a defensive-minded midfielder is hurting the team as they don't have anyone who can mop up the headed clearances of the two centre-backs.