Alisson 5/10 as Liverpool see 68-game home unbeaten run come to an end

Liverpool‘s incredible 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield came to an end as the champions were beaten 1-0 on home turf by a resilient Burnley side.

Ashley Barnes picked himself up off the turf to fire home the game’s only goal from the spot having previously been brought down by the onrushing Alisson and the visitors held on to claim a huge three points.

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At the other end, England goalkeeper Nick Pope produced a catalogue of excellent stops to deny Divock Origi, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah amongst others, while Origi clattered the bar as the Reds failed to register a Premier League goal for the fourth game running.

The result means that Jurgen Klopp’s side — who are now winless in five league games — remain six points off top spot having failed to close the gap on leaders Manchester United.

Positives

The hosts made a lively start to a contest that all but one statistic will show they dominated. With more than half the season to play the Reds are still very much in the title race, but that’s all the positives I can find.

Negatives

Liverpool’s ongoing drought in front of goal means they have now won just once against sides in the bottom six this season, and the Reds could slip out of the European spots if Tottenham and Everton capitalise on their games in hand.

Manager rating out of 10

5 — Klopp made two changes to a front three yet to score a league goal in January with Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri both involved, but the outcome was very much the same as the Reds delivered another below-par display in front of goal.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Alisson, 5 — Got down quickly to deny Barnes with a smart stop having fumbled the initial cross, but a rush of blood saw him bring down the latter who beat him from the spot in the 83rd minute to secure an unlikely victory.

DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 5 — Produced an endless collection of crosses from the right as you’d expect, but for once there wasn’t a red shirt on the end of any. It took a smart save from Pope to deny his low, left-footed strike, but he blazed an inviting free kick wildly over.

DF Joel Matip, 6 — An unhappy return for the 29-year-old who featured for the first time since Dec. 27th. He produced a composed display at the back, but Alisson’s error means there’s no clean sheet to show for it.

DF Fabinho, 5 — A couple of first-half chances for the man who’s now become something of a defensive stalwart, but he was unable to steer either of them into the back of the net. Fortunate not to be dismissed at the break for a kick-out after the half-time whistle.

DF Andrew Robertson, 6 — Plenty of overlapping runs, but asides from an intelligent back-heel to pick out Sadio Mane and a couple of deep crosses that came to nothing, the Scot had little to show for his attacking efforts.

MF Xherdan Shaqiri, 6 — There are few…