Florian Wirtz was head and shoulders above most of his Liverpool teammates in the 1-1 draw at home to Burnley, as the pressure mounts on Arne Slot.
Liverpool 1-1 Burnley
Premier League (22) | Anfield
January 17, 2026
Goals: Wirtz 42′; Edwards 65′
Alisson – 6 (out of 10)
Alisson was rarely tested, but he made an important save in the second half to prevent an Ibrahima Konate own goal and could do nothing about the equaliser.
His kicking again wasn’t the best though – the result of so many hamstring injuries?
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Frimpong is continually improving and he was a lively presence. He got himself into good areas, skying one effort that he should have done better for, and his pace was an outlet.
Like so many though his impact waned after the break.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
Konate breezed through the first half against Burnley and looks a more in-form player than he was before Christmas.
He struggled more after the interval, however, and he will be thankful that Alisson saved his blushes.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Van Dijk will have tougher tests than this, but he was a frustrated figure come the final whistle.
Liverpool’s skipper wasn’t called into action much, but as the captain he arguably deserves some criticism for another poor performance from the team in the second half.
Is he leading by example enough?
Milos Kerkez – 7
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez reacts to conceeding the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
For periods this was the Kerkez we thought Liverpool were signing in the summer.
The Hungarian made a good start to the game, providing relentless running and almost assisting Curtis Jones early on.
But didn’t do anywhere near as much during a tepid second half all-round.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Gravenberch was effective without doing anything outstanding.
One nice shimmy and shot caught the eye, but he didn’t get close enough to Marcus Edwards for a big Burnley chance.
Curtis Jones – 6
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones (L) is challenged by Burnley's Marcus Edwards during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jones was another who went about his business solidly, nearly pouncing from close range in the early exchanges.
He assisted Wirtz for the opening goal and was typically reliable in possession, enjoying an 89 percent pass completion rate.
More midfield influence was needed though – and he won only one out of nine ground duels.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It’s been a strange week for Szoboszlai.
After his howler of an error at home to Barnsley, he then blew the chance to give Liverpool the lead against Burnley, hitting the bar from the penalty spot.
He was fluid in his movement, popping up on both flanks despite often being the No. 10, but didn’t recover from his miss.
Florian Wirtz – 8 (Man of the Match)
Wirts is really coming to the fore now.
This was another hugely promising display from Liverpool’s second-most expensive signing, who put the Reds 1-0 up with a blistering finish.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He also teed up Ekitike and Cody Gakpo for chances in either half, thriving in his fluid, advanced midfield role.
Easily Liverpool’s best player and a rare positive on the day.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Gakpo won the penalty that Szoboszlai missed, but there wasn’t much else to shout about.
The Dutchman was denied by the busy Martin Dubravka, but his penchant for always cutting inside is frustrating and he struggled to hit top gear once again.
Hugo Ekitike – 7
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike reacts to his side's second goal ruled offside during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ekitike was again a good watch, linking well with Wirtz and playing a big part in the German’s goal following a driving run down the left.
He was thwarted by Dubravka and also saw a goal ruled out for offside, and he did as much as most to try and be on the winning team.
Substitutes
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Federico Chiesa receives final instructions from head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andy Robertson (on for Kerkez, 78′) – 6
Sent in a good cross soon after coming on – that was about it.
Alexis Mac Allister (on for Gravenberch, 78′) – 5
Missed a glorious chance with his first touch, skying the ball into the Kop, and also missed the target in the dying seconds.
Rio Ngumoha (on for Gakpo, 78′) – 5
Didn’t manage to influence proceedings.
Federico Chiesa (on for Jones, 87′) – 5
Not enough time to make an impact, barring giving away a daft free-kick deep into stoppage time.
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Ramsay, Endo, Nyoni
Arne Slot – 5
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A 12-game unbeaten run hasn’t done too much to silence all the Slot doubters, and this was another unconvincing day – which ended with noticeable boos around Anfield.
There were few qualms about the team he picked, and at times Liverpool played with more tempo than they have for much of this season.
But yet again they fell off alarmingly in the second half and that is on Slot, who also took too long to make changes.
There is arguably an inevitability about how his reign ends now – is it a case of when rather than if?