Liverpool frustrated by Jurgen Klopp's two biggest problems in draw with Burnley

Jurgen Klopp is closing in on his two-year anniversary at Anfield and though in that time there has been significant progress, his project has been held back by two consistent failings: conceding goals too easily and failing to break down deep-lying defences. This draw with Burnley provided a microcosm of Liverpool's problems.

Sean Dyche’s side are exactly the sort of team that Klopp's Liverpool have struggled against and this was the type of result that is priced at long odds on a bookmakers’ board but always seems so predictable in hindsight. Like Sevilla on Wednesday night, Burnley scored with their first shot on target, with Scott Arfield exposing more poor defensive play to put the visitors ahead.

Liverpool responded soon after through Mohamed Salah but failed to find a second, despite racking up 34 attempts in total. They not only peppered the Burnley goal but dominated the ball and conducted much of the game in their visitors’ half too. Yet for all their supremacy, they never led at any point.

They were unlucky, perhaps, not to see a late flurry of chances produce a winning goal - with substitute Dominic Solanke striking the bar from close range - but by the final whistle, Anfield regulars were left asking the usual questions.

Klopp made seven changes from the draw with Sevilla, and having received a warm reception from the Anfield crowd as a substitute that night, Philippe Coutinho made his first start since attempting to force through a move to Barcelona. His invention in the centre of park would be needed without Sadio Mané, who served the first part of his three-match ban following his red card in the 5-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Burnley, meanwhile, were also without their best player. Tom Heaton underwent surgery on an injured shoulder earlier this week and was replaced in goal by Nick Pope, making his first Premier League start and initially left off the team sheet published on the club’s social media channels. Daniel Sturridge attempted to test him with a shot in the opening minutes, but the stand-in ‘keeper held the meek effort easily.

The pattern of play was established early on, with Liverpool enjoying near-total control of possession as they searched for ways through a team that was happy to sit off and stay tight. One mazy Joel Matip run almost did the trick, but when the centre-back slipped in Salah, the Egyptian was tripped by James Tarkowski. The Kop appealed but referee Roger East was not listening.

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Despite Liverpool's dominant start, Dyche will have been confident that his side needed just one chance to take the lead and so they did. After a long punt out of the back, Trent Alexander-Arnold was too easily beaten in an aerial duel with the 5ft 7” Robbie Brady. Matip and Ragnar Klavan were both drawn to the winger’s high, looping header and it was only once they had each failed to collect the loose ball that they realised they had left a Burnley man free on the edge of the area. It could not have been easier for Arfield, who slotted first-time past a helpless Simon Mignolet.

Klopp brooded for a moment on the touchline then raged, demanding a response from his players. He did not have to wait long. Liverpool were back on terms four minutes later when Emre Can’s lofted ball over the top found Salah, who managed to find enough room to squeeze a shot between two Burnley bodies and inside Pope’s near post. Anfield celebrated, more in relief than joy.

The goal was proof of gaps to be exploited in Dyche’s backline and suggested that they will miss Heaton dearly, but Liverpool struggled to test Pope further once they went looking for a lead. Can came close to exposing the 25-year-old’s inexperience at this level with an effort from range that Pope spilled, but there were enough defenders around to clear the danger. The Burnley ‘keeper did much better to parry away a good Sturridge effort on the hour mark.

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After that bright start to the second half, Liverpool soon ran into difficulties and struggled to draw Burnley out. The failure to create meaningful opportunities for long spells after the interval may have disappointed Klopp even more than the first-half’s defensive issues, but Ben Mee soon reminded Liverpool of the need to remain vigilant. The centre-half went close twice in quick succession, with Mignolet reacting quickly to stop a goal at the far post after Matip had cleared one header off the line.

It was the scare Liverpool needed and Klopp’s side came close to finally taking the lead in the closing stages. First, Alexander-Arnold’s volley was awkwardly stopped by Pope’s chest, but the teenager was undeterred. After seeing Salah denied a penalty from a hefty Mee challenge, he played on and crossed for substitute Dominic Solanke, who hit the crossbar while attempting to open his Liverpool account. It was his side’s best chance of the second half but it was too little too late. Two points dropped.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Robertson; Milner, Can, Coutinho (Solanke 78); Salah, Firmino (Oxlade-Chamberlain 79), Sturridge.

Substitutes not used: Karius, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Henderson, Moreno.

Burnley (4-4-1-1): Pope; Lawton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson (Barnes 60), Cork, Defour (Westwood 87), Brady; Arfield; Wood (Vokes 87).

Substitutes not used: Legzdins, Walters, Long, Bardsley.

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire)

Attendance: 53,231