Late Mohamed Salah penalty spares Liverpool blushes to earn Reds hard-fought victory over Burnley | OneFootball

Liverpool saw their bright start to the 2025/26 Premier League season continue courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday.

Arne Slot’s men watched Arsenal go top with a 3-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest on Saturday and were eager to respond with maximum points at Turf Moor.

Despite Liverpool seeing the majority of the ball early on, Burnley fashioned out the first decent chance when Loum Tchaouna found Jaidon Anthony on the edge of the box. However, the winger sent his effort high.

With Burnley remaining firm at the back, Liverpool had little joy from open play and nearly took the lead from a set-piece situation as Ibrahima Konate rose highest in the six-yard box to head over the bar.

Andrew Robertson was introduced into the game seven minutes from half time at the expense of an underwhelming Milos Kerkez, who had earlier been booked for simulation.

Robertson had the game’s first attempt on target after a solo run into the Burnley area, but his final effort was, however, comfortably dealt with by Dubravka.

Huge Ekitike dragged an effort wide from a tight angle moments later, summing up an ineffective first half from the reigning champions.

Liverpool kicked off the second half aiming to up the ante and took an early crack at Dubravka’s goal two minutes in, with Gravenberch letting fly after a ricochet fell to him.

Having cut a largely peripheral figure in the first half, Florian Wirtz curled a low effort past the post as Liverpool continued their dominant start to the half.

Dubravka was called into action just shy of the hour mark when Szoboszlai unleashed a long-range effort which was heading for the corner.

Slot sent on Chiesa in search of a winner as the game entered its final knockings, and the winger was unable to guide his header on target shortly after his introduction.

Lesley Ugochukwu’s sending-off in the 84th minute offered Liverpool some encouragement that they could take home all three points, although Burnley remained resolute.

A direct free-kick three minutes from time brought back flashbacks of Szoboszlai’s winner against Arsenal, but the Hungarian had little luck keeping his effort on target this time around.

Liverpool continued to push for a winner in the five added minutes and suffered further disappointment when Jeremie Frimpong saw his effort saved.

The Reds looked set to make do with a point before Hannibal Majbri handled the ball inside the area to concede a penalty.

Goalless in all of his previous trips to Turf Moor, Mohamed Salah held his nerve to send Dubravka the wrong way and maintain Liverpool’s 100% record so far.

The reigning champions are now three points clear at the summit despite having been far from their best on several occasions this term.