Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

Alexander Isak will be licking his lips after Liverpool display vs Burnley

Evan Lloyd

Correspondent AUTHORITY NCTJ-qualified football journalist with experience at VAVEL, Hayters TV, SPORTbible, and Centredevils. FOCUS Premier League analysis, tactical deep-dives, and original opinion content across Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Celtic. THE INSIGHT Evan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides specialist tactical and analytical content to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and understand the full picture.

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Mohamed Salah scored a penalty in the dying seconds to hand Liverpool the win over Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday.

Liverpool started Dominik Szoboszlai against Burnley but it was the returning Jeremie Frimpong who won the penalty, after his cross was blocked by the arm of Hannibal Mejbri.

It was a day to forget in some respects, with Milos Kerkez substituted before half-time after he was booked for diving.

But the Reds will be happy to have got over the line, with, on paper, more difficult fixtures arriving in the near future.

Mo Salah, Liverpool
Salah left it late against Burnley (Credit: Imago)

Liverpool struggle to convert open play chances

Alexander Isak was not involved for Liverpool against Burnley, with Slot explaining before the game that the striker is not quite up to speed yet.

But even despite the Swede having yet to make his debut for the Reds, his absence was felt going forward.

Slot's side enjoyed a massive majority when it came to possession, and took 27 shots - the most by a team in a single Premier League match this season so far.

Liverpool statsVs Burnley (A)
Possession81%
Shots27
Big chances3
Expected goals 2.45
Expected goals without penalty1.66

But just four of those were on target, with Liverpool also missing two big chances from open play before the penalty.

The pick of the chances, perhaps, fell to Federico Cheisa, who found himself all alone in the Burnley box but could only head Andy Robertson's cross wide of the post.

The Italian replaced Hugo Ekitike, who could only muster two shots off target throughout the 90 minutes himself.

Alexander Isak would feast on Liverpool chances

Liverpool knew what they were signing when they paid £125million to finally complete the capture of Isak.

The striker has scored 44 goals over the last two Premier League seasons, establishing himself among the deadliest finishers in Europe.

  • Isak scored 23 goals in the Premier League last season, from 20.42 expected goals.
  • The striker scored 19 non-penalty goals, and enjoyed a 20 per cent conversion rate with his efforts.

And the 25-year-old does not just convert the chances supplied for him, he creates his own, too.

Ekitike has proven himself to be powerful option for Slot since signing for Liverpool, but when the going gets tough, the ruthless ability of Isak will be exactly what is needed.

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