Liverpool missed a golden opportunity to cement their place in the Premier League top three, as a resilient Burnley fought back to secure a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
In a frustrating afternoon for Arne Slot’s side, the Reds dominated possession but were left rueing a missed penalty and a lapse in defensive concentration. The result leaves Liverpool with 36 points, now just a single point ahead of a resurgent Manchester United.
Szoboszlai’s Penalty Nightmare
The match could have taken a very different path in the 31st minute. Liverpool were awarded a penalty, but Dominik Szoboszlai saw his powerful effort rattle the crossbar, much to the relief of Burnley keeper Martin Dúbravka.
Despite the setback, the breakthrough eventually came just before halftime. German playmaker Florian Wirtz showed his class in the 42nd minute, finding the back of the net to give the Anfield crowd hope of a routine victory.
Burnley Strike Back
However, Scott Parker’s Burnley, currently fighting for Premier League survival, refused to fold. In the 65th minute, Edwards silenced the home fans with a well-taken equalizer, capitalizing on a rare opening in the Reds’ defense.
Despite late pressure from Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool couldn’t find a winner, failing to beat a side currently sitting in the relegation zone.
The Top 4 Race Heats Up
The draw has massive implications for the Champions League spots. With Manchester United defeating Man City 2-0 in Michael Carrick’s debut and Chelsea beating Brentford, the gap between 4th and 6th place has vanished.
Liverpool must now regroup quickly to avoid being overtaken by their historic rivals in the coming weeks.
It ends level. #LIVBUR pic.twitter.com/4OmC2nuWag
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 17, 2026
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
