Mohamed Salah kept Liverpool’s perfect start alive with a nerveless stoppage-time penalty as the Reds snatched a 1-0 win over stubborn Burnley on Sunday.
The newly-promoted Clarets had frustrated Arne Slot’s side all afternoon, but deep into added time, Hannibal Mejbri handled in the box and referee Michael Oliver pointed straight to the spot. Salah stepped up with ice in his veins and smashed home the winner.
The result makes it four straight Premier League victories for Liverpool all coming after the 80th minute and puts them three points clear of Arsenal, who briefly went top after thrashing Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Saturday.
Slot, still carefully managing his squad, left new signing Alexander Isak out completely but lined up with Salah, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike leading the charge. The Reds dominated possession, but Scott Parker’s Burnley stayed compact and threatened on the counter.
Gakpo and Ibrahima Konate both went close in the first half, while Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai tested Martin Dubravka after the break. Slot turned to Federico Chiesa and later Jeremie Frimpong to spark the attack, but it looked like Burnley would escape with a point.
That hope ended in the 84th minute when Lesley Ugochukwu was sent off for a second yellow after clattering Wirtz. Reduced to ten men, Burnley eventually cracked under Liverpool’s relentless pressure.
Then came the decisive moment, Mejbri’s stray arm, Salah’s ruthless finish, and the Reds’ roar of relief.
