TURF nut to crack

REDS MAKE A MEAL OF IT BUT ENJOY THE RELIEF OF A FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN

- By IAN DOYLE Chief LFC Writer

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

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 shimmering silverware.

For a fourth game in a row, Arne Slot's required a dramatic late intervention to maintain the 100% start to their defence of the championship.

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

Make no mistake, Liverpool - with Alexander Isak absent working on his fitness - made a right meal of seeing off an obdurate and resolute Burnley side 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, backed by an occasionally raucous home crowd, 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 ambitious substitutions.

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