There was a horrible inevitability about Liverpool’s loss to Burnley. A string of dreary performances and results against teams in the lower reaches of the league – Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion, Brighton, Fulham – plus insipid displays against Southampton and Manchester United culminated in the Reds giving up their 4-year unbeaten home record to Sean Dyche's clarets.
Everything that was wrong in previous games manifested itself against Burnley. Even with Jurgen Klopp deciding to drop Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi, problems with creating and scoring goals remained. Indeed, at no point during the game did Liverpool look like hitting the back of the net or finding the formula that would overcome Burnley’s defence, which, while stubborn, never came under severe duress. AOC made no impact, did nothing to indicate he’s recovered form after long-term injury, and showed little to suggest that he’s a better option than the hapless Taki Minamino on the right side.
Hapless aptly describes Origi, who had a golden opportunity to prove to Klopp he can be relied on when the more regular front three need a rest or are out injured. Origi’s big chance came late in the first half when he latched on to a mistake from Ben Mee and ran in on goal for a one-on-one with goalkeeper Nick Pope. Deciding to shoot from the edge of the area rather than taking the ball around Pope, Origi curled the ball against the bar. It wasn’t so much the miss that damns Origi but the fact that at no point as he set himself to shoot did it look as if he was going to score.
Inevitably, Origi and AOC were taken off after 55 minutes and Salah and Firmino were brought on. Salah – whose name has been in the newspapers recently, firstly talking about how nice it would be to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona and, then, we hear about how he thinks he deserves an improved contract at Liverpool – flattered to deceive, overplaying as has been his wont all season; while Firmino again was guilty of missing the Reds’ best chances. Nil-nil seemed a likely result only, with five minutes left in normal time, for the usually faultless Allison Becker to make a clumsy challenge on Ashley Barnes, who made the most of the contact and slotted home from the penalty he was awarded.
Trent Alexander Arnold put in another awful display and, surely, given how little he is contributing going forward and what a liability he is defensively, in any other circumstances, if there was a ready replacement, his position would be under threat. We’re reminded that early on as Liverpool manager, for the big games, in the Premier League or Champions League, Klopp was so concerned about TAA’s defensive limitations that he would drop him for Joe Gomez or James Milner. It is also a mystery why TAA is the designated free-kick taker since his strikes on goal are abysmal.
Unless Liverpool turn things around soon, there is a risk their season could end up not being about fighting to retain their title but a scrap to finish in the top four. Currently, both Manchester clubs, Leicester and Spurs are better performers and are putting together better results than the champions. Next up for Liverpool is a fourth round FA Cup tie against Man United at Old Trafford and then it’s Spurs away in the Premier League. Losing both these games – which current form would suggest is a distinct possibility – and Liverpool’s season, which promised so much and even until Christmas seemed on track, could end as a damp squib.
