Last-gasp Mohamed Salah penalty earns below-par Liverpool dramatic victory at Burnley

BURNLEY – Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted he was shocked with the award of an “unbelievable” five minutes of added time, which his side capitalised on as Mohamed Salah scored a last-gasp penalty to seal a 1-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Sept 14.

It allowed the Reds to maintain their perfect record to climb back to the top of the English Premier League.

Slot told Sky Sports: “I settled really bad because after 90 minutes when I saw how much added time there was I was shocked.

“I was still shocked when we got the penalty because five minutes of added time for me was unbelievable. Shocked and then happy Mo scored the penalty.”

He added: “Compliments to Burnley for the way they defended. It was difficult for us to find an opening and a few times we were close. If we had scored, the game may have been open but because we didn’t they did the same thing...

“We needed a moment of luck, or a moment of magic. We didn’t have the magic but we had the luck.”

Newly promoted Burnley had kept the champions at bay but a handball from Hannibal Mejbri deep into stoppage time gave Salah a chance to win the match and he made no mistake.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports: “At the end of the day, it was a penalty and Mo scored it perfectly. He is a world-class player and we know he can deliver in these moments. Key today was not to get frustrated.” 

Liverpool have now won all four of their Premier League matches this season after the 80th minute.

They are three points clear of Arsenal, who went top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Sept 13.

The visitors dominated possession against Scott Parker’s men but failed to break the deadlock.

Slot left new signing Alexander Isak out of his squad altogether after warning he would ease the forward into action gradually.

But he could still field an impressive attacking line-up including Salah, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool were in control from the start, with Gakpo having an early sight of goal.

Burnley sought to break quickly when they won possession and Jaidon Anthony fired over in the seventh minute.

Ibrahima Konate had a chance to give Liverpool the lead but headed Gakpo’s corner over the bar from close range.

Milos Kerkez was booked for diving midway through the first half and Slot withdrew him for Andy Robertson shortly before the break.

Ryan Gravenberch flashed a volley wide early in the second half, as Burnley failed to clear a corner and Martin Dubravka kept out a long-range effort from Dominik Szoboszlai.

Slot made his first attacking change in the 72nd minute, bringing on Federico Chiesa for Ekitike.

The move almost paid immediate dividends but the Italian international failed to direct his header from Robertson’s cross on target.

Burnley were reduced to 10 men as Lesley Ugochukwu was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Wirtz on the edge of the box in the 84th.

Slot threw on Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha for Wirtz and Konate in a last-ditch bid for all three points.

Liverpool’s pressure finally paid off when Frimpong’s cross was blocked by Mejbri’s outstretched arm and referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot.

Salah stepped up and blasted the ball into the net, ensuring a fourth win from four matches. The Clarets are just outside the relegation zone with three points from four games.

Burnley boss Parker told the BBC: “Tough, really tough. I am gutted for the players, that is the main thing. We took the game to the 93rd minute and a penalty has decided it. Immensely proud of the group...

“I don’t put it as a mistake (for the penalty). The ball is coming from three yards away at a ridiculous speed. Maybe the learning from it is that we coach defenders to put their hands behind their back, which is not ideal.” AFP