‘We don’t give up!’ says Salah as another late goal keeps Liverpool top of the Premier League
Liverpool have won with late goals in all four of their league games so far
Mohamed Salah insists Liverpool’s ability to never give up was key to securing another last-gasp Premier League win away at Burnley.
The Reds were on course to be frustrated with a stalemate at Turf Moor after a resillient display by the promoted side but a Hannibal Mejbri handball in stoppage time allowed Salah to score the winner at the death.
Champions Liverpool have won four games from four in the Premier League so far against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal and now Burnley, with all the decisive goals in those games coming in the final 10 minutes or later.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his second goal of the season, Salah saod: “Tough opponent today, we tried our best to get the ball between the lines. It was tough but I am glad we managed it.
“We have a few new players in the starting line up and it takes time to adapt to our game and we try our best to make them confident in our game.
“We don’t give up. We try and push ourselves to the limit and as team we did that.”
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Van Dijk: Liverpool deserved the win
Liverpool dominated much of the encounter, having 81% possession and having 27 shots compared to Burnley’s three, albeit only four of those were on target.
But after staying patient and finally taking their opportunity, captain Virgil van Dijk says the champions eventually got what they deserved.
“We obviously try to break teams down. We had to be patient and be ready whenever we lost the ball that we’re ready to defend the counters,” the centre-back said.
“We kept looking for the goal and for the opportunities. We created some good opportunities, not many clear-cut chances. But I think it was a well-deserved win.
“But if I’m Burnley, it’s never nice to concede a penalty. But it was a penalty and Mo slotted it perfectly.
“Mo is a world-class player and we know he can deliver and step up in these moments as he has done so many times.
“But today it was key to not get frustrated, keep trying and find the space in between the lines to create opportunities. A well-deserved win, it could have been a draw.”
Parker proud of Burnley despite defeat
It was the second-straight game where Burnley have been undone by a penalty in stoppage time after losing 3-2 at Manchester United before the international break. Scott Parker’s men have won one and lost three of their games since promotion.
The Burnley boss said: “I’ve seen disappointments in my time and my career. At times we survived like our life 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.
“My team today epitomised spirit.”
What’s next for Burnley and Liverpool?
Liverpool host Atletico Madrid in the first league-phase fixture of their Champions League campaign, before the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield next Saturday.
Burnley are up against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground at 3pm the same day.