Liverpool lead Burnley 1-0 at half-time at Anfield, and the noise tells you why. Florian Wirtz broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, finishing a slick move in the box. The goal came after steady control, patient pressure, and a crowd that demanded a spark. I am pitchside. Liverpool have their edge, but the work is not done.
The moment that changed the half
Burnley were compact for most of the first half. They sat deep, kept their lines tight, and forced Liverpool wide. The hosts probed. The pace of the game rose and fell. Then it clicked. A sharp pass found Wirtz between the lines. One touch to set. One more to guide it low into the corner. Clean. Clinical. The Kop roared.
Liverpool needed that moment. The home side had looked tidy but not ruthless. Wirtz gave them control, and a lead to defend. His movement kept Burnley guessing. His timing broke them open at last.
Life without Salah, and the test of depth
Mohamed Salah is still away with Egypt. That changes everything about how Liverpool attack. There is no direct dart from the right. There is less gravity in the box. Today, the burden falls on others, and they are carrying it with discipline. The wide players stretch the pitch. The midfield keeps the tempo high. Wirtz links it all with calm touches and quick choices.
Arne Slot has asked for patience during this stretch. He must manage minutes, roles, and nerves in January. The chatter around reinforcements has grown this week. Former players have warned that a quiet window could cost Liverpool late in the season, especially at right back. Those words linger when a game gets tight. So far, the XI on the field is answering the call.
Salah is expected back next week, according to Arne Slot. His return would instantly change the front line mix.
Tactical snapshot
Liverpool’s shape is steady. The fullbacks step into midfield at times, but the risk is measured. The press starts from the front, and it forced Burnley into rushed clearances. When Burnley did play through, Liverpool’s center backs read the long balls well. The midfield tracked runners and shut off second balls.
- Wirtz found pockets behind Burnley’s midfield and stayed brave in tight spaces.
- Liverpool’s left side created the best overloads and crossing chances.
- Burnley’s set pieces looked their most likely path to goal.
- The referee kept a firm line, which helped Liverpool’s flow.
The culture piece is clear too. Anfield expects a response in weeks like this. No Salah. No fresh faces yet. The supporters set a high bar and then fuel it. Every tackle that sticks lifts the noise. Every pass that opens space brings the Kop to its feet. That energy pushed Liverpool through a tense first half.
Burnley’s way back into it
Burnley are not out of this. They are disciplined, and they showed flashes on the break. The visiting plan is simple and solid. Keep the middle blocked, then spring behind the fullbacks. Liverpool will have to manage those counters with care. One loose touch could flip the game.
Set pieces are Burnley’s best friend here. Corners and long throws turn into chaos in a heartbeat. If Burnley throw on fresh legs out wide, they can force more fouls in those areas. Liverpool must stay calm, clear first contact, and win the second ball.
Watch the first 10 minutes after the restart. If Liverpool raise the tempo early, Burnley will have to open up and chase.
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What the second half demands
Liverpool have the lead, but their margin is thin. They need better final passes and cleaner finishes to close this out. They also need control. One clever change from Slot could tilt it. A runner in behind. A fresh fullback to steady the right side. A quicker switch of play to stretch Burnley’s narrow block.
For viewers in Ireland, the match is live on Premier Sports 1, with streaming available via NOW TV. The audience can feel the tension. The table matters, the window matters, and every point in January matters even more when your star forward is away.
Here is what I am watching next:
- Can Liverpool protect the ball when Burnley press higher.
- Will Wirtz keep finding space, or will Burnley close that lane.
- Do Liverpool manage set pieces without panic.
- Which bench player brings the late spark.
Final word
Liverpool have shown composure without their main scorer. Wirtz gave them the breakthrough they craved. Burnley will not fade. The second half is a test of control, nerve, and depth. If Liverpool finish the job, it says a lot about their resilience in a thin month. If they slip, it will shine a bright light on January’s big question. Do they have enough as they are, or do they need help now? The next 45 minutes will tell us.
