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TURF MOOR, BURNLEY // Liverpool almost missed the chance to win its opening four Premier League games in a season for just the third time, having done so in 2018-19 and 2019-20, needing a 94th-minute penalty from Mohamed Salah to get over the line.
A goalless first half saw little in the way of chances for either team. While Liverpool hit 10 shots at goal, few went near Martin Dubravka, and that didn't change much after the break.
Alexander Isak was not involved yet and Liverpool lacked the inspiration it required to break down a stubborn low block until Michael Oliver pointed to the spot after a handball offense. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded and the Reds toiled in attack.
Attack toils until Salah steps up
Isak was absent here, despite playing 20 minutes or so for Sweden midweek. After he missed almost the whole summer in order to force through his transfer to Liverpool, it was understandable — the Reds will be very careful with building him up.
Even had Isak been involved, much as the traveling Liverpool fans would have liked to see him, it would only have been for a few minutes off the bench. That first viewing of the $169 million (£125 million) man will have to wait.
On the bench in attack instead were Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha, with the former turned to in the 72nd minute. That it took that long to change things summed up the lack of firepower available.
Chiesa had a decent chance to score from a header almost as soon as he came on. The Italian couldn't muster much this time, though. Can you miss a player before he has even played a minute? In Isak, Liverpool possibly did, though Salah kept his cool in the end.
Florian Wirtz change needed
Florian Wirtz scored a sensational free-kick during the international break and the Germany playmaker has shown signs of what he can offer in a Reds jersey so far this season. But costing an initial $135 million (£100 million) before add-ons, the spotlight was always likely to fall on him quickly.
When a player moves with such a high reputation and price tag, it is inevitable that expectations are high. Games against Bournemouth (wild), Newcastle United (intense) and Arsenal (set-piece heavy) gave him no space to operate in. Really, it is games like this one at Burnley where his ability to create chances should come to the fore.
Wirtz showed a few glimpses but nothing more here, still growing into life in the Premier League. Liverpool's new-look attack is still yet to click into gear, but this was one of the games that should have been a good chance to show it off.
"We know that every game is difficult and I only have to look back at last season to understand that; we had problems with Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton," Slot said pre-match. That certainly proved to be true.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai good
Dominik Szoboszlai was superb as a right-back before the international break, and even with both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley on the bench, the Hungary captain remained in that full-back berth. After all, why change a winning formula?
Here, Szoboszlai struggled to get involved as much, though. He was better in the middle when Conor Bradley entered the field.
With matches against Atletico Madrid and Everton inside the next seven days, there will be rotation for Liverpool this week. Szoboszlai is always likely to find a role somewhere, though, because his sheer relentlessness is so valuable.
Ryan Gravenberch, meanwhile, was a strong performer; one of few to really impress on the day. He looked sharp, but he needed a bit more from those in front of him.
Ibrahima Konate improves
With Marc Guehi still at Crystal Palace, something that left Arne Slot disappointed on deadline day after a largely very good summer in the transfer market, Liverpool will need to rely on Ibrahima Konate in the coming months — no matter where his future lies.
Still yet to tie himself down to a new contract beyond the end of the season, the Frenchman joked that Kylian Mbappe calls him every couple of hours about joining Real Madrid while he was away with his country this week.
Konate was better against Arsenal and decent enough here, up against a big striker in Lyle Foster. The challenge now is to find some consistency and string a few solid performances together.
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Milos Kerkez was taken off by Arne Slot a few minutes before half-time in what was a fairly a brutal switch. It was necessary, however: had the 21-year-old stayed on, he was walking a tightrope having been booked for diving.
In the driving rain at Turf Moor, Kerkez staying on would have been a risk while he was on a yellow card. Burnley's only threat was on the counter and he could have easily been sent off when chasing down one of the opposition attackers.
Still, it wasn't ideal for the $54 million (£40 million) man. Andy Robertson relished the chance to get involved, though, and played well. The pair are likely to share game time now that the season is in full swing, though perhaps not quite like this.
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