5 things we learned: Manchester City are the best team in the Premier League

Liverpool missing Sadio Mane

It wasn’t a good week for Liverpool as they followed a disappointing draw at home in the Champions League with another, more disappointing home draw against Burnley. With Sadio Mane suspended, Liverpool were without the pace needed to unlock Burnley’s back four, which turned into a back six at times in the second half.

Liverpool did well to quickly respond to Burnley’s opening goal. Jurgen Klopp’s men pressed on the rest of the game and it seemed a second goal would be inevitable. The shots on Burnley keeper’s goal came early and often. In total, the Reds took 35,10 of which were on frame. It’s worth noting that despite their edge in shots and possession, it took a Joel Matip clearance off the line late in the game for Liverpool to earn the point.

After netting the tying goal, Mohamad Salah found himself in good scoring situations but couldn’t get a second. Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho were both starters in this one, part of a “throwback” lineup reminiscent of the Mane-less teams that Klopp employed during the Senegalese’s absence in the early part of this year.

Now, as then, Liverpool aren’t having much success despite the seemingly decent run of play and a fair amount of chances. Also worth recalling is that Liverpool’s home win against lowly Crystal Palace came as a direct result of Mane causing a turnover deep inside Palace’s half and finishing the play with the goal. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool go about replacing Mane’s contribution during the remaining two games off his three-game suspension.