'I saw clear Liverpool transfer need against Burnley and it wasn't a center-back'

Florian Wirtz was very good as Liverpool drew with Burnley but Arne Slot's team is lacking quality in wide areas at the moment, which is holding the forward line back

Florian Wirtz scored for Liverpool against Burnley.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool didn’t play especially badly against Burnley — and, if you wanted to look for a positive, its unbeaten run has continued — but the frustration was clear.

For a brief period, there were boos at the final whistle at Anfield. Liverpool’s players looked as gutted as those in the stands and Arne Slot on the touchline.

Though it was arguably the least worst of the dropped home points this season — it has been far, far worse than this at times — it was still far from enough. Attacking-wise, Liverpool had 32 attempts but never looked properly fluid nor fully convincing.

"I can tell you, both me and the players definitely have the same frustration as the fans," Slot admitted in his post-match press conference.

Looking balanced for much of the game, Liverpool went in front in the first half even after missing a penalty. Then, though, it couldn’t find what would have been a crucial second goal.

Burnley hung in there but the Clarets shouldn’t have been handed the opportunity; Marcus Edwards took his goal well but he shouldn’t have had the chance.

It wasn’t that Liverpool lacked an attacking plan. It found a way to have shots, but was too sloppy at times in its passing. Ryan Gravenberch lost possession too easily at times and Dominik Szoboszlai's influence was mixed.

Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz impressed against Burnley.(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

The bigger issue here was that Cody Gakpo — though he had a good spell shortly after half-time — is not the quickest. He also makes exactly the same move every time he has the ball.

On the opposite flank, in the absence of other options, there was effectively no one. Curtis Jones started there but drifted and Szoboszlai was very much playing inside.

Jeremie Frimpong, though he has been good in recent weeks, was not that effective — even though Slot praised him post-match — and defensively, he looked a little shaky.

Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, linked things up nicely to begin with, but he faded, as he has a tendency to do. He has played a lot of minutes and will have to continue doing so with Alexander Isak missing, but there is an argument that they have caught up with him.

Having chosen to sell Luis Diaz in the summer — a decision that was the right one given that the now-29-year-old wanted to leave, and Bayern Munich offered a huge fee — Liverpool lacks something in wide positions.

The Colombian was not replaced, and that was the mistake, rather than letting him leave.

With Rio Ngumoha not ready yet to step up on a regular basis, Liverpool has looked lacking in that department since. Mohamed Salah, now that his AFCON exploits are over, could provide the answer — but his form before he left was hardly scintillating.

The bottom line is that Slot simply doesn't have the personnel required on the wings, and until that changes, the puzzle won't be complete. In the summer, more pace and dynamism on the flanks is required in the transfer market. Florian Wirtz was exceptional against Burnley, but he needs some help.