Liverpool extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 matches, but were left frustrated as a 1-1 draw with struggling Burnley at Anfield dealt a blow to their top-four ambitions. The result did little to ease Burnley’s plight either, with the Clarets now winless in 13 Premier League games.

Deep in the relegation zone, Burnley knew they could not afford a slow start, yet they almost fell behind inside the opening minutes. A flowing Liverpool move released Milos Kerkez in the penalty area, but instead of shooting, the full-back opted to square for Curtis Jones. His pass was intercepted by a crucial last-ditch block from Lucas Pires, sparing the visitors.

The pattern of the first half was one of relentless Liverpool pressure. Arne Slot’s side dominated possession and territory, finally testing Martin Dúbravka midway through the half when the goalkeeper pushed away a fierce long-range strike from Hugo Ekitiké.

Liverpool were then handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Florentino brought down Cody Gakpo inside the box. Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up, but his powerful penalty crashed off the crossbar, summing up the hosts’ wastefulness.

Undeterred, the Reds continued to press. Both Gakpo and Florian Wirtz forced saves from Dúbravka, before the latter finally made the breakthrough three minutes before the interval, smashing a superb finish into the roof of the net to give Liverpool a deserved lead.

Liverpool resumed after the break with renewed intensity, and Wirtz almost doubled his tally, only to be denied by the outstretched legs of Dúbravka. Gakpo then came agonisingly close moments later, beating the goalkeeper but seeing his effort cleared off the line by Bashir Humphreys.

Those missed chances proved costly. With virtually their first meaningful foray into the Liverpool penalty area, Burnley struck back. Marcus Edwards arrived to sweep the ball across Alisson and into the far corner, stunning Anfield and levelling the contest.

Liverpool thought they had restored their advantage 15 minutes from time when Ekitiké converted a loose ball in the box, but the goal was ruled out for offside after Virgil van Dijk had headed the initial cross.

The pressure on Burnley’s defence was unrelenting in the closing stages, yet the Clarets held firm, repelling wave after wave of attacks to secure a hard-earned point.

While the draw was damaging for Liverpool’s push for a top-four finish, it represented a credible result for Burnley at Anfield—though one that offered only limited encouragement in their fight for survival.