Arne Slot’s shocking decision almost costs Liverpool as the Reds survive Burnley

Liverpool fans were walking out of Turf Moor with their hearts still racing, their voices still shaking, and their emotions somewhere between relief and disbelief. They had seen their team, the Premier League champions, almost stumble in the most frustrating way against Burnley. And if not for one moment of madness in the dying seconds, Arne Slot’s men could have been staring at a draw that would have felt like a defeat.

It was Mohamed Salah, the man who has carried Liverpool through countless tight moments, who once again stepped up. With the clock ticking down, with the tension suffocating the away end, the Egyptian king buried a last-minute penalty to rescue all three points. The roar from the Liverpool end was not just joy—it was a scream of relief. Because truth be told, this was a performance full of problems, and one decision from Arne Slot nearly cost Liverpool everything.

This was supposed to be a celebration day. Liverpool fans made the short journey to Burnley dreaming of seeing their new superstar striker, Alexander Isak, finally wearing the famous red shirt. Just weeks earlier, Isak had smashed the British transfer record when Liverpool paid Newcastle £125 million for his signature. The hype was insane. Clips of him in Sweden’s games during the international break went viral among Liverpool fans. Even though he only played a few minutes against Kosovo, excitement was building like a fire. Everyone wanted to see him unleashed at Turf Moor.

But then came the shock. When the line-ups were announced, Isak’s name was missing. The fans gasped. The commentators raised their eyebrows. Slot explained afterwards that he wanted Isak to have a full week of training before throwing him in. “I can assure the fans that he will be involved against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday,” Slot said calmly. “But this game came a bit too early.”

That decision was bold. Some would say it was cautious. Others would call it a mistake. But once the game started, the truth became clear—Liverpool needed an out-and-out number nine, and they didn’t have one.

For ninety minutes, Liverpool threw everything at Burnley. The Reds dominated possession, pushing the Clarets back into their own half, sending wave after wave of attack. Yet for all the pressure, all the passes, and all the energy, the end product was poor. Liverpool had 25 attempts but only managed three shots on target. The Burnley defenders stood firm, blocking, tackling, and clearing everything that came their way. Turf Moor became a fortress, and the Liverpool players were left frustrated.

Hugo Ekitike, handed the striker role in Isak’s absence, struggled badly. He was invisible for long periods, unable to make an impact. Salah, as always, tried to make something happen, cutting inside, combining with Luis Díaz, searching for that killer ball. But most of the time, Liverpool only created half-chances, weak efforts that Burnley’s goalkeeper handled with ease. The game was crying out for a finisher, and the one man who could have been that difference was sitting on the bench in a tracksuit.

It wasn’t just the attack that gave fans worry. The defence looked shaky too. Burnley, even after being reduced to ten men, still found ways to break forward. Anfield might have expected a routine win, but Turf Moor gave Liverpool a nightmare. The tension grew. Every missed chance, every wasted cross, every Burnley clearance made the away end louder with groans. The fans could feel two points slipping away.

Then came the madness. Deep into stoppage time, with Burnley fighting for their lives, Hannibal Mejbri lunged in recklessly inside the box. It was a silly, needless foul. The referee didn’t hesitate. Penalty to Liverpool. The Burnley players protested, but the decision stood. Suddenly, the Reds had a lifeline.

And who else but Salah to take it? The Egyptian stepped up, cool as ice, with the whole stadium holding its breath. He placed the ball, looked at the keeper, and smashed it into the net. The Liverpool fans exploded. Flags waved, fists pumped, and chants of Salah’s name echoed into the Lancashire sky. Once again, he had saved them. Once again, he had turned despair into joy.

But behind the celebration, questions were already forming. Was Arne Slot too cautious with Isak? Should Liverpool’s record signing have been given at least 20 minutes to make an impact? Could the Reds really afford to rely on Salah’s magic forever?

This game felt like a warning. Against bigger sides, those wasted chances could cost Liverpool dearly. Against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, there will be no room for mercy. Isak will have to deliver, and Slot will have to show that he can make brave choices. Because Liverpool may have escaped here, but they cannot escape forever

For the fans, it was a rollercoaster. They came hoping to witness the birth of a new era with their £125m striker. Instead, they saw the same hero who has been saving Liverpool for years drag them out of trouble again. And while they left Turf Moor with three points in the bag, they also left with questions about the future.

Relief was the feeling as the final whistle blew. Salah walked off smiling, Slot clapped the away end, and the Liverpool players celebrated a win that felt more like survival. Turf Moor had nearly broken them, but in the end, the champions found a way. That is what great teams do—they win even when they play badly. But make no mistake: Arne Slot’s shocking decision nearly cost Liverpool dearly.

And somewhere in the background, waiting for his moment, Alexander Isak will know one thing. When he finally steps onto the pitch in red, the pressure will be massive. The fans expect goals. They expect magic. They expect him to make sure that nights like Turf Moor do not happen again