Liverpool made it four wins from four in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with another dramatic win
Arne Slot’s side have now won all four of their games to start the campaign and are the only team with a 100 per cent record. Liverpool have hit to hit their straps after making a number of new signings but have continued to win games.
Salah’s penalty hit the net in the 95th minute at Turf Moor. Federico Chiesa scored an 88th minute goal against Bournemouth on the opening weekend to help Liverpool win 4-2. Rio Nguomha struck in the 100th to beat Newcastle United at St James’ Park while Dominik Szoboszlai netted in the 83rd minute to beat title rivals Arsenal before the international break.
There have been several changes to Liverpool’s starting XI and it will naturally take time for the squad to assimilate.
Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez slow starts to Liverpool careers
Wirtz provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike in his debut appearance in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace but has somewhat struggled to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.
The Reds have not played with a number 10 for a number of seasons, so his struggles in part are down to players getting used to a new system. Milos Kerkez, meanwhile, has had some inconsistent displays and was substituted during the first half at Turf Moor.
Wirtz looked a lot brighter against Burnley but the Reds as a whole struggled to break down the Clarets, who sat deep and opted to soak up Liverpool pressure.
Fabrizio Romano shares how Liverpool are feeling about Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez
Asked in his GiveMeSport newsletter, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano was questioned on how Liverpool feel internally about Kerkez’s and Wirtz’s starts to the season. He said: “Very good. Of course not all performances have been excellent but Liverpool back their signings, convinced that they will be at top level soon.”
Speaking about Kerkez’s booking, Slot said after the win over Burnley: “Yes, I said already to him that it wasn’t smart. He replied to me that he felt some arm in his back. But let’s be clear, it wasn’t a penalty!
“It is funny that the two dives we have had in the one-and-a-bit years I’ve been here, they have both led to a yellow card so we’re not really good at it. I see it happening a lot without the referee giving a yellow, but the moment we do it…It was a dive, he told me he felt something but it wasn’t a foul so it’s not smart.”
Meanwhile, speaking on Wirtz, Paul Merson said ahead of the game: “Wirtz is a top player. But there isn’t any need to change something which isn’t broken! The Liverpool midfield looks a bit weak now and if they get over-run in that part of the pitch, it’s a huge problem.”
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