Liverpool have won all their Premier League games, but all the decisive goals have come after the 83rd minute. Can Arne Slot continue to enjoy success or will the team improve? Alexander Isak may need time to return to form with the Champions League added to Liverpool's schedule.
Sam Blitz
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FREE WATCH: Highlights of Liverpool's Premier League win over Burnley
Four games in, the early performances of a new Liverpool side are open to interpretation. Some say their late heroics are the mark of champions. Others say they are simply papering over the cracks of an unconvincing performance.
The same thing is happening in the recently concluded transfer window. The arrival of players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz looks attractive on paper. But does the revolutionary reorganization of the full-back, left wing and striker positions mean that the team will be a major overhaul?
Liverpool have either looked unconvincing in attack or conceded goals in defence this season, but a late win over Burnley means they have still won every game in the Premier League, although they lost to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on penalties.
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It's a scary prospect – Liverpool are still winning, despite Arne Slot's words that they will improve from now on. But there are no guarantees.
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Firstly, Liverpool's fixture list is getting busier and no less challenging. They have already beaten Newcastle and Arsenal, but they still have Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City to play before the November international break.
The run also includes trips to Brentford and Crystal Palace, as well as a Merseyside derby against Everton next weekend.
And while Alexander Isak will ultimately bring a wealth of quality to the squad, he starts the season four weeks behind schedule due to a fitness issue. It may take time to appreciate the full value of the £125m striker.
The next eight weeks will be crucial for Liverpool's season.
Is there any concern for Salah and Wirtz despite their heroism?
Pictured: Mohamed Salah doesn't look the same this season.
The familiar sight of Mohamed Salah, arms raised in the air after scoring, could be seen at Turf Moor, but that is only one side of the story.
The Egyptian scored his second goal of the season but, like his opener against Bournemouth on the opening night of the campaign, it came at the end of an otherwise underwhelming performance.
Before his 95th-minute intervention, Salah was one of only two Liverpool players to have spent more than an hour on the pitch without having a shot, with Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa both scoring once, despite coming on as late substitutes.
Salah also lost five of his six individual challenges and was dispossessed more often than any other player on the pitch, and when he had a rare chance to do some damage in the second half, he crossed just wide for a shot on goal.
“He's gone completely broke again,” said co-commentator Jamie Carragher.
“This season he hasn't managed to reach the heights he had last season. Everything was difficult anyway. But now he's not looking at the races.”
There are similar concerns about Florian Wirtz, who has yet to score or provide an assist in the Premier League since joining from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m. He has been substituted in all four games, two of which, against Bournemouth and Burnley, were when his side were looking to take the lead.
Pictured: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz avoids a tackle from Burnley's Kvilindsja Hartman (AP Photo/Jon Super)
The German had the lowest passing accuracy of any Liverpool player at Turf Moor and lost 70% of his challenges. And although he created four chances, they had an xG rate of just 0.24, so they weren't exactly 100%.
Slot: We will become better
However, Slot's winning streak continues and the Liverpool manager believes his team will only improve.
“It's normal for a lot of the new players,” he told Sky Sports. “We'll get better and better and we've still got 12 points.”
And Roy Keane sensed the inevitability of Liverpool's result against Burnley.
“They're still playing,” Keane said. “They've got quality players and they're hungry to win. They've got good options coming off the bench, as we've seen in a couple of their games.”
Burnley showed plenty of resilience but Liverpool deserved to win with the way they dominated.
Liverpool lacked quality, their last pass today was so inaccurate, but we sat there thinking they would have another chance.
“They fought hard, we have to continue until the very end. That's what the best teams do.”
Sourse: skysports.com
