Theo Squires was appointed Liverpool FC Writer for the Liverpool ECHO in 2021, after covering EURO 2020 at Wembley as England reached their first major men's final since 1966. A senior football journalist, Theo joined the ECHO's sports team from Bolton Wanderers in 2018, having previously spent four seasons in the former Premier League side's communications team where he ran the club's website and social media channels. A regular in the Anfield press box since joining the ECHO, since being promoted to Liverpool FC Writer, Theo has reported on Jurgen Klopp's side as they won the FA Cup and League Cup at Wembley, and competed in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. A regular on the Blood Red podcast, Theo has also conducted a number of exclusive interviews during his time with the ECHO, speaking to the likes of Roger Hunt, Nicolas Anelka, and Alberto Aquilani.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, looks on after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on September 14, 2025
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool have had to turn to somewhat unlikely heroes in each of their three opening games of the Premier League season, but this was a case of the familiar as Mohamed Salah scored a stoppage-time penalty to snatch victory for the Reds at Burnley.
Deserved, yes. Just. They were the dominant side at Turf Moor in a drab encounter. But clear-cut chances were few and far between on a day where Arne Slot’s men looked set to be frustrated.
Liverpool recorded 27 shots against the Clarets, but only four were on target. None fell to any of their front four from open play, with Salah’s winner coming with the caveat of being a penalty.
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Instead, Andy Robertson first tested Martin Dubravka moments after coming on in the first half, before Dominik Szoboszlai stung the Slovakian’s gloves from distances after moving into midfield. Substitute Jeremie Frimpong would also be denied by the shot-stopper late on, with all three lining up at full-back at one point or another.
With Alexander Isak on strike at Newcastle United during the opening weeks of the season, Eddie Howe regularly bemoaned how the absence of his star striker was costing his side points as they went winless - fighting out two 0-0 draws and losing 3-2 to Liverpool - in their opening three games.
It would have been easy for the Reds to make a similar excuse as they toiled against Burnley, having belatedly brought in Isak in a club-record move on transfer deadline day.
It is easy to wonder what if and how things might have been different had the Reds been able to call upon their £125m man in attack rather than left him at home. But this was not just a case of Slot’s men being wasteful and lacking that killer final touch. A different striker would have likely made little difference.
Instead, this is a new-look side still gelling together after the busiest and most expensive of summers at Anfield which saw eight new senior signings arrive through the door and £450m spent. As frustrating as it might be, it was always going to take time.
It has taken late drama for Liverpool to emerge victorious in each of their four games. And while that will not be sustainable across an entire 38-game campaign, they continue to demonstrate why they are the reigning Premier League champions.
Four wins from four to maintain their 100% start, they are three points clear at the top of the season and have now scored in every league outing over the past 12 months - even if it was a case of only just in their latest efforts.
Supporters excitedly waited throughout the international break for a first glimpse of the Isak in Liverpool colours. But they will have to wait a little while longer after Slot took the decision to leave his new striker at home.
There was logic to that decision. An 18-minute substitute appearance for Sweden during the break is the limit of his game-time since the final day of last season, while he spent the majority of pre-season training in isolation.
But such logic would have perhaps gone out the window, in the fanbase at least, had Liverpool been left unable to break down newly-promoted Burnley.
Instead, Salah sent them into raptures late on. Not for the first time and it won’t be the last time.
“The Reds have got no money but we’ll still win the league!” they chanted ironically after the final whistle.
Liverpool lead the way once again. And while not at their best, Slot can at least be comforted by the fact his new-look side is continuing to put maximum points on the board.
It might not have fully clicked for the champions yet. But after a £450m spending spree, it is only a matter of time.