Recap

Liverpool Frustrated at Anfield: Champions Held to 1-1 Draw by Resilient Burnley

Liverpool’s title defense suffered another setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Burnley at Anfield on January 17, 2026, despite dominating possession and unleashing 32 shots on goal. Florian Wirtz’s first-half strike canceled out Dominik Szoboszlai’s earlier penalty miss, but Marcus Edwards’ clinical second-half equalizer secured a vital point for the visitors, extending their unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions.

First Half: Liverpool’s Wastefulness and Wirtz’s Moment of Magic

The match began with Liverpool asserting their authority early on, as expected from the reigning champions hosting a Burnley side languishing near the relegation zone with just 14 points from 22 games. An early chance arrived when Milos Kerkez raided down the left and cut the ball back across goal for Hugo Ekitike, but Lucas Pires made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny the summer signing. The home crowd’s frustration mounted quickly, culminating in the 32nd minute when referee awarded a penalty after Florentino Luis fouled Cody Gakpo inside the area—a decision some described as somewhat soft.

Dominik Szoboszlai, fresh off a stunning 35-yard strike in midweek against Barnsley, stepped up but blazed his spot-kick against the crossbar, much to the relief of Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. This miss epitomized Liverpool’s profligacy against a deep-lying Burnley defense deployed in a compact 5-4-1 formation, a tactic increasingly common against Arne Slot’s side this season.

Burnley, managed by Scott Parker and winless in 13 matches—including nine defeats—absorbed the pressure admirably, weathering Liverpool’s waves of attacks. The breakthrough finally came in the 42nd minute, a moment of brilliance orchestrated by Wirtz and Ekitike. Virgil van Dijk launched a long pass forward, which the French forward controlled expertly before driving to the byline. Losing possession momentarily, Ekitike’s determination to regain it forced a shot that Curtis Jones recycled into the path of Wirtz, who smashed home his fourth goal in seven appearances. It was a deserved lead at halftime for the Reds, who had controlled proceedings but struggled to truly test Dubravka beyond the penalty.

Second Half: Burnley’s Bravery Pays Off with Edwards’ Stunner

Arne Slot’s team emerged determined to kill the game, but Burnley’s halftime adjustments injected bravery into their play, as Parker later noted. The visitors grew into the contest, and the momentum shifted dramatically around the hour mark. In the 65th minute, Edwards capitalized on Liverpool’s lapse in concentration. After Ibrahima Konaté failed to close him down on the left side of the penalty area, the attacker unleashed a clever, low-driven shot across Alisson Becker into the far corner—Burnley’s only shot on target of the match.

Prior to the equalizer, Konaté had nearly gifted Burnley the lead himself, diverting a cross toward his own goal only for Alisson to produce a brilliant reaction save—his sole significant intervention. Edwards’ finish, hailed as \”incredible\” by Parker, undid Liverpool’s dominance and exposed defensive frailties that have plagued them against low-block opponents.

Liverpool responded with fury, registering an expected goals tally of 2.96 from their 32 shots, but chances came and went without truly threatening. Alexis Mac Allister fired high and wide late on, while substitutions including the introduction of fresh legs failed to break down the resolute Clarets. Burnley, having changed shape to be \”braver in possession,\” held firm, earning praise from their boss for staying in the game and seizing their moment.

Key Performances: Wirtz Shines Amid Collective Failures

Florian Wirtz was the standout for Liverpool, pulling strings throughout with his virtuoso display, contributing the goal and creating pivotal moments alongside Ekitike. The German’s form—four goals and two assists in seven games—offers a bright spot, but it couldn’t mask the team’s inability to convert dominance into victory. Szoboszlai’s penalty miss loomed large, while Konaté’s error proved costly, highlighting ongoing issues in game management.

For Burnley, Marcus Edwards was the hero, his equalizing strike a game-changer that lifted spirits in a season of struggle. Scott Parker’s tactical tweaks, including starting Jaidon Anthony and Axel Tuanzebe post-AFCON, paid dividends, with the backline—bolstered by Pires’ clearance—standing tall. Dubravka enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon, underscoring Burnley’s defensive resilience.

Tactical Analysis: Low Blocks Expose Liverpool’s Achilles Heel

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have now dropped points at Anfield to other promoted or struggling sides like Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Sunderland this season, revealing a persistent vulnerability to low-block defenses. Despite 32 shots and heavy possession, they generated just one goal, failing to test Dubravka meaningfully in the latter stages. Burnley’s 5-4-1 frustrated the champions, who struggled to break down massed ranks despite Wirtz’s creativity and Ekitike’s industry.

Parker’s side, with three points from their last 36 possible before this draw, showed quality on the counter, particularly through Edwards and Florentino Luis. Their second-half improvements—more possession bravery and exploiting transitions—turned a potential rout into a famous point, extending an unbeaten run that provides psychological relief amid relegation woes.

Slot’s Frustration and Broader Implications for the Title Race

Post-match, Slot echoed the fans’ disappointment: \”I and the players have the same frustration as the fans. We can talk about no losses in 12 but our standards are higher than that. Our standards are winning every game.\” This draw marks four in a row for the champions in the Premier League, slipping more points through their fingers despite their perch near the top. With 36 points from 22 games, Liverpool trail leaders Aston Villa (43 points), a gap that these dropped points against minnows exacerbate.

Burnley climb slightly but remain second-bottom on 14 points, ahead only of Wolves on 7, their point a \”huge psychological lift\” as noted in commentary. Parker’s men head to face friendlier fixtures buoyed, while Liverpool must regroup quickly to maintain title credentials.

Match Statistics: Dominance Not Enough

Liverpool’s statistical superiority was stark: 32 shots to Burnley’s handful, an xG of 2.96, and total control, yet parity on the scoreboard. Key timeline markers included the penalty at 32′, Wirtz’s goal at 42′, Edwards’ at 65′, and late subs at 74′, 78′, 85′, 87′, with the game ending 90+8′. Possession tilted heavily Liverpool’s way, but clinical finishing—or lack thereof—decided the outcome.

This result underscores the Premier League’s unpredictability, where even champions falter against grit. Liverpool’s quest for back-to-back titles demands sharper finishing and defensive solidity; Burnley, meanwhile, savor a rare Anfield point that could spark survival hopes.