Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Burnley as Florian Wirtz excellent but 6 toil

Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Burnley as Florian Wirtz was excellent but Arne Slot needed a little more from the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai

Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring Liverpool's first goal during the Premier League game against Burnley at Anfield.(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Florian Wirtz was a strong performer for Liverpool but Arne Slot's men could not do enough to get over the line against a resolute Burnley team who left with a point.

Around half an hour into the game, Cody Gakpo was fouled inside the penalty area, but Dominik Szoboszlai could only smash a shot onto the crossbar. A short while later, Wirtz made the breakthrough when he was teed up by Curtis Jones inside the penalty area, after which he calmly converted an effort past Martin Dubravka.

It looked like Liverpool would be in a position to kick on, but Marcus Edwards drew the visitors level and the Reds had to break the deadlock again. Coming up against a Burnley brick wall, it couldn't find a way.

Winners

Florian Wirtz opened the scoring and he looked the likeliest avenue for Liverpool to break down the Burnley rearguard. The German playmaker was off his game (and, it turned out, nursing an injury) last time the Reds faced a challenge like this, against Leeds United.

Here, he proved to be a difference-maker in the first half. Wirtz is a wonderful talent and has looked a lot better with a stable defensive set-up behind him. His relationship with Hugo Ekitike is really coming along, but he can't do everything alone. He deserved more from the game but few others did.

Losers

Dominik Szoboszlai gave away a goal last time out and he would have wanted to put that right as soon as possible. The chance to put his side in front from the penalty spot, then, was ideal. Instead, he smashed a shot onto the bar.

Szoboszlai was fine for the rest of the game and did his utmost to win the ball back and then create, but he will rue not adding to his goals tally, especially in the context of the dropped points. Elsewhere, Jeremie Frimpong didn't have the best game defensively, and the Reds needed a bit more in attack from him and several others.

Player ratings

Alisson Becker (6). Barely touched the ball until halfway through the first half, at which point he gave possession away cheaply. Could not do anything with the Edwards goal and got down well to prevent Ibrahima Konate scoring an own-goal at one point.

Jeremie Frimpong (6). It is games like this one where having a very attack-minded right-back in the team, offering pace and width in abundance, should prove very handy. Too many of his crosses were looped and hopeful rather than pinpoint and direct and he looked a little shaky defensively at times.

Ibrahima Konate (6). Had to stand up against Armando Broja, but came out on top in that duel. Decent enough in possession aside from a couple of lapses, but nothing spectacular. The equalizer came down his side.

Virgil van Dijk (7). Good in the air and kept the ball moving, though he didn't always have a great deal of movement ahead of him. Fortunate on one occasion when he tried to play offside.

Milos Kerkez (7). Like Frimpong, more than capable of flying forward and offering an attacking threat in wide areas. He started really well and should have shot when a square ball was cut out. Booked for a late tackle.

Ryan Gravenberch (6). Dropped very deep at times to pick the ball up and attempt to progress it upfield. That appears to be a ploy against low blocks and it worked to an extent here, though his passing was not always on point.

Curtis Jones (7). Playing from the right-hand side of Gravenberch initially, rather than deeper and alongside him, he drifted inside a lot and ended up on the left at times. Calmly teed up Wirtz for Liverpool to make the breakthrough and grew into things nicely.

Dominik Szoboszlai (6). There was no repeat of the backheel that he attempted on Monday, but he did miss a penalty. Showed plenty of endeavor but didn't have enough guile to break Burnley down very often.

Florian Wirtz (8). Last time out against a low block at home, he really struggled. Here, the German saw a lot more of the ball and finished really well to open the scoring. He was a livewire and lots of the Liverpool attacks went through him. In theory, he is made for games like this, and that proved to be the case here. He just needed a bit more help from those around him.

Cody Gakpo (6). Won the penalty but was too predictable at times. He is still working out how to play with Kerkez behind him and the Hungary full-back should have been used a bit more often on the overlap. Had a strong period shortly after half-time.

Hugo Ekitike (6). Starting for the first time since January 1, the French forward offered a focal point and was a willing runner in behind when there was space for him to do that. Linked things up nicely in the final third at times and showed some real flashes of quality but couldn't convert a low Jones cross late on which was a good chance.

Substitutes

Andy Robertson (6). With Kerkez on a booking, it made sense to bring him on. Added some extra impetus down the left-hand side.

Rio Ngumoha (6). Brought on to inject some pace into the Liverpool attack and given a bit more time to do so than he has at times this season. Electric feet and put in a couple of really dangerous balls.

Alexis Mac Allister (6). Slightly surprising that he didn't start. Lifted a shot over the crossbar from a good position and then had an effort from far too far out. Federico Chiesa also came on but too late to earn a rating.