Liverpool 1-1 Burnley: Jay Rodriguez cancels out Andy Robertson header as champions held at Anfield

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David Lynch11 July 2020

Liverpool’s flawless home record this season was ended and their hopes of a record Premier League points total dented as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley.

The Reds looked all set for their 18th Anfield league win of the campaign when Andy Robertson gave them the lead during a first half they utterly dominated.

However, Sean Dyche’s side held firm, and levelled things up in the second half when Jay Rodriguez latched onto a knockdown in the box to finish.

With captain Jordan Henderson ruled out for the remainder of the season and Trent Alexander-Arnold in need of a rest, Jurgen Klopp elected to put his faith in youth.

Neco Williams started in his more natural right-back position despite his half-time withdrawal at Brighton on Wednesday, while Curtis Jones took on the skipper’s role in the middle.

Burnley, meanwhile, made one change, with Chris Wood coming in for Matej Vydra up top.

One of the interesting subplots of the Clarets’ visit to Anfield was the ongoing battle between the goalkeepers for the Premier League Golden Glove award.

Unsurprisingly, it was Nick Pope who was forced into action earliest, producing a beauty of a save from Mohamed Salah’s top-corner-bound effort shortly after denying Jones from close range.

But, having somehow kept hold of his clean sheet during an opening half an hour dominated by the hosts, the Englishman’s net was finally breached.

In Pope’s defence, he may well have been caught by surprise as Robertson produced an uncharacteristically brilliant headed finish from Fabinho’s clipped ball having somehow found himself on the right-hand side of the box.

Either way, he quickly reiterated his value to the Clarets by brilliantly clawing away a goal-bound Sadio Mane effort from close range shortly before the break.

Liverpool started the second half where they left off, and came close to consigning a bizarre quirk of their remarkable season to history four minutes in.

However, Roberto Firmino failed to end his wait for a Premier League goal at Anfield this term, hitting the post when he should perhaps have done better after being fed by Salah.

Salah himself was guilty of wastefulness on the hour mark, blazing over when he somewhat fortuitously received the ball in the box following a deflection.

And shortly after the second drinks break of the match, the Reds were made to pay as Phil Bardsley’s long ball from a free-kick in Burnley’s right-back area was nodded down and back across goal, where Rodriguez provided a fine finish to level things up.

Knowing that their winning streak was at risk, Liverpool opened up, but it was in fact the visitors who came closest to pinching three points next.

A corner delivery from the left-hand side caused chaos in the Reds box before dropping to Johann Berg Gudmundsson, whose powerful effort cracked the top of the bar and left Sean Dyche with his head in his hands.

Still, Klopp’s men could have come away with the win had Salah dispatched on his right foot at the death, rather than stroking the ball into the hands of Pope.

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11 July 2020

86mins: Salah lets one fly from the edge of the box but Pope is well behind it. 

Liverpool getting desperate here.

11 July 2020

80mins: A change for Liverpool, Oxlade-Chamberlain replacing Wijnaldum.

Will that extra thrust in midfield prove crucial?

11 July 2020

77mins: The ball just not falling for Liverpool now as they try and find a way through this obstinate Burnley rearguard.

What a point this would be for Sean Dyche's side - the first gained by any team visiting Anfield in the Premier League this season.

11 July 2020

Goal! Liverpool 1-1 Burnley | Rodriguez 69'

We said the visitors had a chance while there was still one in and, what do you know, they're level.

Phil Bardsley's long ball from a free-kick in the Burnley half finds Tarkowski, who heads down and back toward Rodriguez.

The striker takes a touch and picks out an excellent finish beyond Alisson to level things up. No clean sheet for either keeper!

11 July 2020

67mins: A drinks break and two substitutions for Liverpool.

Naby Keita and Trent Alexander-Arnold replacing Curtis Jones and Neco Williams. Great shifts from the two youngsters.

11 July 2020

62mins: Pinball in the Burnley area as Williams' effort is deflected off quite a few bodies before reaching Salah.

It looks like a golden opportunity for the No.11 to finish the game, but he skies the ball into the Kop.

11 July 2020

54mins: McNeil picks out Rodriguez at the edge of the Liverpool box but the shot isn't powerful enough to trouble Alisson.

Burnley have a chance while they're within a goal of the hosts.

11 July 2020

51mins: Curtis Jones sets off a counter as he nicks the ball in the middle and continues his run into the Burnley box beyond Salah.

The Egyptian finds his teammate with a pass but his left-footed effort flies wide. Unlucky.

11 July 2020

49mins: Salah spots Firmino's run in behind and lays on a simple chance for the Brazilian to grab his first Anfield goal of this Premier League season.

However, he contrives to hit the post with an unconvincing left-footed effort when he should have done much better.

11 July 2020

KICK-OFF

Burnley get us back under way.