Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Burnley at Anfield on Saturday afternoon
Florian Wirtz cut a frustrated figure as Liverpool dropped two points(Image: Getty Images)
Marcus Edwards was turning away towards the Burnley supporters to celebrate his equaliser when, further back in play, Florian Wirtz could be spotted throwing his arms in the air in frustration before turning away in disgust.
Small wonder. If there was one Liverpool who deserved to be celebrating a win bonus on Saturday evening, it was the Germany international.
The latest to occupy the right wing role vacated by Mohamed Salah, Wirtz, as has increasingly been the case, wasn’t confined to a singular position, instead popping up when required all across the front line.
More importantly, though, he is contributing numbers with his goal, well taken after initial good work from Hugo Ekitike and then Curtis Jones, a fourth in his last six games.
Liverpool’s best efforts to extend their lead invariably came through Wirtz, most notably in the second half when he tricked his way beyond several defenders inside the area then teed up Cody Gakpo for a shot cleared off the line.
With Salah now due back from Africa Cup of Nations duty ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash in Marseille, it will be interesting to see if the dynamic within the team has changed.
In the absence of the Egyptian, there’s no doubt Wirtz has stepped up to become Liverpool’s leading light.
Szoboszla suffers
As his early strike from range against Barnsley flashed into the top corner on Monday night, Dominik Szoboszlai probably couldn’t have envisaged the week that was to follow.
By the end of the game, Liverpool’s player of the season had been accused of disrespect from Tykes boss Conor Hourihane after a bizarre blunder that gave the League One side a glimmer of pulling off an FA Cup shock.
And here it was his failure from the penalty spot that ultimately prevented Liverpool from turning their first-half dominance into a merited healthy advantage.
While Szoboszlai responded well to his mistake during the game earlier in the week, this time he was hampered by his overly-keen attempts to make amends for his aberration.
But he wasn’t alone in the engine room in misfiring somewhat after the break, Ryan Gravenberch and defensive midfield partner Curtis Jones both unable to prevent Marcus Edwards from ghosting in behind to smash in the visitors’ equaliser.
Alexis Mac Allister was introduced for the closing stages but found his radar way off when, with his first touch, he smashed a presentable opening over the crossbar.
Having won due to a late spot kick at Burnley earlier in the season, this time around it was Liverpool left paying the penalty.
Full-backs fall back
When Liverpool visited Turf Moor back in September, Milos Kerkez had such a torrid time he was substituted before half-time in an act bordering on mercy from Arne Slot.
It was indicative of the troubled opening months experienced by the Hungary international as he struggled to adapt to the expectation and intensity of featuring for Liverpool.
Recent times, though, have seen Kerkez begin to realise the potential that prompted the Reds to splash out £40million to take him from Bournemouth last summer.
And another initially impressive showing here was a further example of why he has wrested the left-back jersey firmly from the grasp of Andy Robertson, causing problems for Burnley during the first half with his combinations with Cody Gakpo, Jones and compatriot Szoboszlai.
The second half was a tougher ask as Kerkez’s energy levels dropped, evidenced by losing the ball during Burnley’s sole brief spell of pressure for an attack that ended with Alisson Becker having to save from Ibrahima Konate’s necessary intervention. He was replaced soon afterwards.
Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, travelled a similar arc but lasted the full match although, during the closing stages, his crossing was more hopeful than expectant.
