Reds leave it late again as their title defence has its challenges

HOEVER said defending the Premier League title was more difficult than winning it wasn’t wrong.

- By IAN DOYLE

After sauntering to a 20th championship last season, Liverpool are already being shown just how onerous the task will be to keep their hands on the silverware.

For a fourth game in a row, Liverpool required a dramatic late intervention to maintain the 100% start.

But after the excitement of wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle United plus the satisfaction of landing an early blow on rivals Arsenal, the overriding emotion among both players and supporters on the final whistle at Turf Moor was one of relief.

Liverpool made a meal of seeing off an obdurate and resolute Burnley who came within moments of putting a first serious dent in the season for Slot.

The Reds boss readily admitted few could have grumbled had the promoted Clarets held on for a goalless draw.

But it wasn’t just fortune that prompted Burnley substitute Hannibal Mejbri to inexplicably handle Jeremie Frimpong's cross and provide Mohamed Salah the opportunity to net a winner five minutes into additional time.

If Liverpool deserve credit for their persistence going forward - even if too much of their play lacked imagination in attempting to chisel a way through the Burnley rearguard - then Slot also merits praise for his substitutions.

As was demonstrated last season, the Reds boss isn't averse to gambling with his bench if there is a game to be won.

Here it was Frimpong and teenager Rio Ngumo-ha who were thrown on for the closing moments, Ngumoha creating a chance for the former saved by Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka before the late penalty drama.