Liverpool were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Burnley at Anfield, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Florian Wirtz scored for the hosts, but Marcus Edwards equalized, and Dominik Szoboszlai missed a penalty. The result prompted boos from the home crowd, highlighting ongoing frustrations under coach Arne Slot.
The Premier League champions Liverpool faced Burnley on January 17, 2026, at Anfield, aiming to secure a vital win but ending in a 1-1 stalemate that extended their run of four successive draws in the competition.
Liverpool controlled the game from the outset, registering 32 shots on goal, with 11 on target, against Burnley's solitary effort. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was instrumental for the visitors, making several key saves, including three in the first half to deny Hugo Ekitiké, Cody Gakpo, and Wirtz. A soft penalty was awarded to Liverpool when Gakpo went down under a challenge from Florentino Luís, but Szoboszlai struck the spot-kick against the crossbar.
The hosts broke the deadlock shortly before halftime. Ekitiké controlled a cross-field pass from Virgil van Dijk, spun away from defenders Kyle Walker and Axel Tuanzebe, and forced a save from Dubravka. Curtis Jones reacted quickly to assist Wirtz, who lashed the ball into the top corner for his fourth goal in six games.
Burnley, coached by Scott Parker, showed resilience, particularly in the second half. They improved their attacking intent, and Edwards leveled the score with a powerful finish into the far corner after a precise pass from Luís. Liverpool's defense momentarily faltered during this period, as Slot noted: “They both came in the same five-minute period. They were the only moments when we struggled.”
Post-match, opportunities continued to elude Liverpool. Dubravka saved from Wirtz, Bashir Humphreys cleared two shots off the line from Gakpo, and Ekitiké had a goal disallowed for offside. Alexis Mac Allister and Jones also missed chances, leading to boos at the final whistle.
Slot acknowledged the fans' disappointment: “If, as Liverpool, you are not disappointed by drawing at home to Burnley then something is wrong. I completely understand the frustration.” Parker praised his team's focus: “The key for us was getting in at half-time still in the game so we could fix a few things.” Tuanzebe played despite his wife going into labor, with a car ready to take him afterward.
The draw leaves Liverpool grappling with inefficiency in front of goal, while Burnley earn a valuable point in their fight against relegation.
