3 hours ago
22
Burnley boss Scott Parker admitted that it was a correct penalty decision that saw Liverpool win the three points late on at Turf Moor, moving Arne Slot's team back to the top of the Premier League.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah stepped up and kept his cool to net his second goal of the season after Hannibal Mejri had handled the ball as Jeremie Frimpong attempted to cross. And referee Michael Oliver had no doubts whatsoever about his decision.
"I've seen disappointments in my time and my career," Parker said on Sky Sports. "At times, we survived like our lives depended on it today. We knew we had to give that.
"The overriding factor here is that everything we set about to be today, I am immensely proud of the players. The game ends in a real heartbreaking way for us. It is what it is.
"We just fell a little bit short with the last-minute penalty. We needed to deny space, that was critical for us, and we did that. We defended very, very well.
"We didn't look much of a threat going forward but it is what it is. We are trying to get a result and we are trying to survive it is just a shame the way it ended.
"It is handball. In the law of it it is handball. We will have to change in the technique of defending things with hands behind the back. But really proud of the team."
Liverpool dominated the fixture but failed to break down a stubborn Burnley rearguard. Martin Dubravka wasn't overly exerted in the Clarets' goal, despite Slot's men being well on top.
Ultimately, it took a mistake from Hannibal to decide the game and Burnley could have no complaints.
"I have been in the arena; I know how quick things move," Parker added. "His body action was turning and his arm has gone out.
"The ball is probably coming at 80mph and it has hit it. The only learning for Hannibal is that we will have to train with hands behind the back. My team today epitomized spirit."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Burnley has already beaten Sunderland this season and anything from this fixture would have been a bonus.
"Tough, really tough," Parker later told BBC Sport. "I am gutted for the players, that is the main thing. We took the game to the 93rd minute, and a penalty decided it.
"I'm immensely proud of the group, what we needed to do today and how we set up. The boys took everything on board I am just gutted for them it was decided by a penalty.
"I don't put it as a mistake [for the penalty]. The ball is coming from three yards away at a ridiculous speed. Maybe the learning from it is that we coach defenders to put their hands behind their back, which is not ideal.
"This is a young team, a new team. Today at times we had to survive. We had to dig and go to places not many humans go to. It would be easy to tap out, but my team did not tap out."
English (US) ·