Salah decides everything in stoppage time: how Liverpool defeated Burnley.

According to The Sun: ARNIE SLOT has been waiting for at least four months to sign Alexander Isak but did not let him on the field for the first game.

Sitting in the stands of 'Turf Moor' and watching his team’s weak performance, the manager likely regretted his caution with 130 million pounds for the new signing.

Even if Isak was not ready yet and just joined Liverpool’s training on Thursday, the former Newcastle striker would likely bring some of the necessary star quality to the team.

Nevertheless, Slot chose to rely on Mo Salah, the only player who managed to land a significant goal in the game – a converted penalty five minutes before stoppage time.

Hannibal Mejbri actively raised his hand to block Jérémie Frimpong's shot, leaving Burnley playing with ten men after Leslie Uguchukwu's red card in the 85th minute.

The player knew that his action was a result of immediate impulsiveness and looked deeply saddened.

When Salah's shot flew into the net, Slot likely felt he had won three points with this game.

'We decided that it is better for him to train normally all week instead of playing a few minutes.'

'I can assure the fans that he will participate in the next game [against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League], but this game happened a bit earlier.'

Yet, as a British record signing whose name Slot himself has called 'the best striker in the world', with 16 minutes on the field for the Swedish national team, the risk of keeping him on the bench was likely not too great.

He not only posed a threat to Burnley but could also lift his new teammates who often seemed confident during the game.

A game without inspiration

It took more than forty minutes for any player in green to show a hint of inspiration.

Miloš Kerkéz tried to shine in the middle of the first half but received a yellow card for a pointless attempt to win a penalty.

Yugo Ekitike managed to grab the attention of Liverpool fans at the end of the half when he shot between two defenders and nearly hit the post.

In the rest of the time before the break, Slot's team did not give up on breaking down the opponent's defense, holding 82% possession while the hosts defended in a 5-4-1 tactic.

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka faced only one shot before the break, and before Ekitike attempted it, the ball went through Andy Robertson, who had replaced Kerkéz.

Slot decided to make changes to alter the game and took Connor Bradley off and brought on Alexis Mac Allister, who received a blow to the shin from Leslie Uguchukwu in the 15th minute and remained without a yellow card.

This change allowed Dominik Szoboszlai to return to his usual attacking position.

Almost immediately, Liverpool looked more active: Ryan Gravenberch shot over the bar.

Szoboszlai, back in his favored position, shot at goal, displaying the character of the team, and a few minutes later forced another reaction from the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz, who was virtually invisible at first, suddenly impressed everyone with his 100 million pound worth talent.

The German made his mark by breaking into the penalty area and hitting the post on Dubravka's left hand side.

Although the pass attempt to Ekitike from Wirtz only came in the fourth match after his transfer from Bayer.

As Slot attempted to give his forwards a chance, he substituted Federico Chiesa for Ekitike in the 72nd minute.

Just seconds later, Robertson delivered his favorite cross into the box, but the Italian, left unmarked several yards away, failed to capitalize on the best chance of the game.

The Liverpool manager likely envisioned that Isak, even if not fully ready, could handle that chance.

Ultimately, when Burnley looked confident in holding the result, Liverpool could only secure a narrow victory at 'Turf Moor', one they scarcely deserved.

Yet this result brought relief for the Liverpool manager.