Image source: Liverpool fc
Sometimes, it’s not about how you win it’s just about finding a way to win. That was the story on Sunday afternoon at Turf Moor, where Liverpool had to dig deep, grind, and finally break through a stubborn Burnley wall to secure a dramatic 1-0 win.
Mohamed Salah’s penalty in the 95th minute kept Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League season intact. The Reds are now four wins from four, all of them decided by late goals, and they sit proudly at the top of the table as the only team with a 100% record. After the game, manager Arne Slot didn’t hide his emotions. Speaking to the media, he admitted the victory came with a heavy dose of relief and perhaps a little luck too.
Breaking Down the Burnley Blockade
Let’s be honest, it was one of those games. From the first whistle, Burnley made their intentions clear. Sit deep. Defend as a unit. Frustrate Liverpool. And they almost pulled it off. Slot explained just how difficult it is to break down a team when they camp 11 men in their own box.
“You come close, close, close but every time there is a foot in between or whatever,” he said. “No really open chances.”
That was the theme of the afternoon. Liverpool had most of the ball, most of the territory, and most of the pressure but Burnley had the bodies. They defended bravely, rode their luck at times, and were just a few minutes away from pulling off a major result. But when you’ve got players like Mohamed Salah, and a manager willing to throw everything forward, you always have a chance.
The Mentality Monsters Are Back
One of the most encouraging things about this Liverpool side under Arne Slot is their refusal to give up. Slot acknowledged that while he was frustrated by how long it took to score, he was also proud of the team’s persistence.
“A bit of both,” he said when asked if he felt reassured by the win or concerned by the late drama. “You know how hard it is to create chances against a team with 11 players in their 18-yard box.”
Still, Liverpool found a way. Again. They’ve now won four games in a row with decisive goals in the final ten minutes. That’s never been done before in Premier League history. If that’s not a sign of resilience, what is?
Super-Sub Strategy Pays Off
When the breakthrough just isn’t coming, some managers might hold back. Not Slot. In the second half, he emptied the bench and overloaded the pitch with attacking talent. By the end, Liverpool had six or seven players who could score a clear sign that the manager wasn’t content with a draw.
“You maybe wonder, is it worth the risk to play with seven attackers?” he mused. “But against a team that plays with 11 players in their own 18-yard box, that’s not a big risk.”
It was an all-or-nothing approach, and it worked. The late pressure finally cracked Burnley, and Salah who Slot admitted he would rarely consider subbing off when a goal is needed delivered once again from the spot.
A Tough Call: Subbing Off Kerkez
One moment that raised eyebrows during the game was the early substitution of Milos Kerkez. The young defender was taken off in the first half after picking up a yellow card but it wasn’t just the booking that concerned Slot.
“The only way we could lose this game is if we are down to 10,” he explained. “I didn’t want to take that risk.”
It was a preventative move, based on the reaction of Burnley players and fans after a soft foul. Slot feared that another questionable challenge might lead to a second yellow, and ultimately, a red. In a game where Liverpool had almost total control but little room for error, it was a smart if tough decision.
The Isak Situation: Patience is the Plan
One notable absence from the matchday squad was Alexander Isak. The talented striker, signed from Newcastle, didn’t even make the bench and that’s totally by design. Slot took a few minutes during his press conference to explain the logic behind Isak’s slow integration. And it all makes sense.
“We got him from Newcastle in a state where you could say his pre-season is going to start now,” Slot said.
Instead of rushing him into five or ten-minute cameos, Slot and his coaching staff are building up his base fitness with full training sessions. The idea is that short bursts of match time don’t allow for the same physical development as intense training.
It’s the long game not just for this week, but for the entire season.
“Now he will be able either Wednesday or Saturday to play 45 as a minimum, and maybe a little bit more.”
It’s a refreshing approach in a football world where new signings are often thrown into action immediately. Slot is clearly thinking long-term.
A Win That Says A Lot
This wasn’t Liverpool at their free-flowing best. They didn’t carve Burnley open with slick passing or score a wonder goal. But what they did do was show heart, patience, and belief. That’s what champions are made of. It’s still early days in the Premier League season, but this kind of result grinding out three points in a game that looked destined for a draw can be the difference between lifting the trophy or falling just short. Slot might have called it “lucky” but fortune tends to favor the brave. And Liverpool were certainly brave on Sunday.
What’s Next?
With four wins from four and momentum building, Liverpool now look ahead to a midweek clash. Will Isak make his debut? Will Salah get a rest? Will the late-goal magic continue? Whatever happens, one thing is clear: this team has the fight, the depth, and the mentality to go the distance. And with Arne Slot at the helm, they’re not just chasing wins. They’re chasing history.
Conclusion
Football isn’t always about flair. Sometimes, it’s about grit, nerve, and late drama. Liverpool had all three in spades at Turf Moor and that’s why they’re top of the league today. The relief on Arne Slot’s face said it all. But so did the belief in his decisions, from the bold subs to the careful management of young and new players. This is a manager with a plan and right now, it’s working.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com