Liverpool 0-1 Burnley: Player ratings as Ashley Barnes ends Reds' 68-game unbeaten home record
By Ross Jackson
Burnley ended Liverpool's unbeaten home record in the Premier League as Ashley Barnes' late penalty handed Sean Dyche's side a 1-0 win on Thursday evening.
A turgid first half looked like ending all square, before a Ben Mee error handed Divock Origi a glorious opportunity to open the scoring, but the Belgian's effort cannoned off the woodwork with Nick Pope beaten.
Liverpool threw everything they had at the visitors in the second half without success, and with just six minutes to go Burnley took a shock lead. Ashley Barnes was taken down in the area by Alisson after a defensive mix-up, and the Austrian picked himself up to slot home the resulting penalty.
That's the match highlights out the way, now to those player ratings.
Liverpool
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Alisson (GK) - 5/10 - Did a good job of stepping off his line quickly to reduce the amount of space behind the Liverpool backline, but gave away the penalty late on.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) - 5/10 - Really struggled to impact the game in the opposition's final third as he would have in seasons gone by. Comfortable enough defensively but very little else to speak of.
Fabinho (CB) - 5/10 - Struggled to cope with Chris Wood and Barnes. Ultimately overpowered by the pair and ended up making multiple uncharacteristic errors.
Joel Matip (CB) - 7/10 - A timely return to fitness at the heart of Liverpool's defence. Refused to be overpowered by the Burnley front two and did well on the whole.
Andy Robertson (LB) - 5/10 - Very similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold, rarely threatened defensively but just couldn't get a grip on the game going forward.
2. Midfielders
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) - 5/10 - Kept things ticking over well and tried to add some emphasis to the midfield, but just couldn't settle into the game and endured a frustrating evening.
Thiago Alcantara (CM) - 6/10 - Neat and tidy as we've come to expect and looked to break the strict Burnley lines where possible.
Xherdan Shaqiri (CM) - 5/10 - Afforded his second consecutive Premier League start but did little to suggest he'll be a regular in the starting XI. One impressive strike in the first half but very little else to show for his efforts.
3. Forwards
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (RW) - 5/10 - A pretty anonymous performance from the former Arsenal man. Tasked with playing in the front three rather than midfield, but is clearly more effective picking the ball up from deep.
Divock Origi (ST) - 4/10 - His first Premier League start of the season. Should have handed his side the lead on the stroke of half-time but could only find the crossbar. Hooked in the second half after a poor display.
Sadio Mane (LW) - 6/10 - The only one of Liverpool's regular front three to retain his place. Looked lively but just couldn't find any real quality when it mattered.
4. Substitutes
Mohamed Salah (RW) - 6/10
Roberto Firmino (ST) - 5/10
Takumi Minamini (CM) - N/A
Burnley
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Nick Pope (GK) - 9/10 - Sensational performance. The whole Burnley backline deserves credit, but he in particular was superb, producing a string of unbelievable saves in the second half.
Matthew Lowton (RB) - 7/10 - Restricted Sadio Mane for much of the evening and stuck to his task despite being outnumbered on the right at times.
James Tarkowski (CB) - 8/10 - Colossal performance from the Burnley centre-back. Aerially dominant and always looked to find a man whenever he had the chance to clear his lines.
Ben Mee (CB) - 7/10 - An equally good performance to his centre-back partner but was very nearly guilty of throwing it all away with a lapse in concentration which allowed Origi through in the first half.
Charlie Taylor (LB) - 6/10 - Restored to the Burnley starting XI after a spell out with a hamstring injury. Battled very well but was withdrawn through injury early in the second half.
6. Midfielders
Dwight McNeil (RM) - 7/10 - Offered an outlet down the Burnley right all evening and stretched the Liverpool backline whenever had had the chance.
Ashley Westwood (CM) - 7/10 - Recycled possession well whenever Burnley could get a foot on the ball. Combative and tenacious throughout.
Josh Brownhill (CM) - 8/10 - The pick of the Burnley midfielders. Always looking to take the ball from his defenders and spread the play. A display full of energy and desire.
Robbie Brady (LM) - 6/10 - Tried to force Alexander-Arnold back as best he could but often found himself going the other way. Still, didn't neglect his defensive duties.
7. Forwards
Chris Wood (ST) - 6/10 - Held the ball up well and made use of the extra space afforded to him by the Liverpool backline.
Ashley Barnes (ST) - 7/10 - Didn't stop working all night and was unlucky not to open the scoring in the first half having been denied by an excellent stop from Alisson. Eventually got the goal his display deserved.
8. Substitutes
Erik Pieters (LB) - 6/10
Johann Berg Gudmundsson (CM) - 6/10