Heartbreak for Burnley: Salah’s last-minute penalty sends Liverpool to top of Premier League

London: Mohamed Salah scored a dramatic stoppage-time penalty on Sunday to secure a 1-0 win for Liverpool over Burnley, keeping the champions’ perfect start to the Premier League season intact.

Newly-promoted Burnley had held Liverpool at bay for most of the match, but a late handball by Hannibal Mejbri inside the penalty area gave Salah the opportunity to seal victory—and he made no mistake.

The win keeps Liverpool unbeaten after four league games, moving them three points clear of Arsenal, who topped the table briefly with a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Liverpool dominated possession throughout, with attacking stars Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Salah constantly probing Burnley’s defence. Manager Jurgen Slot chose to leave new signing Alexander Isak out of the squad, stating he would “ease the forward into action gradually.”

Gakpo came close early on, and Ibrahima Konate nearly converted a corner, but Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka kept the hosts at bay, saving long-range efforts from Dominik Szoboszlai and a volley from Ryan Gravenberch.

Burnley threatened on the break as well, with Jaidon Anthony firing over in the seventh minute. Milos Kerkez was booked for diving midway through the first half and was later substituted for Andy Robertson.

Slot made his first attacking change in the 72nd minute, bringing on Federico Chiesa for Ekitike. The Italian’s header from Robertson’s cross narrowly missed, keeping the deadlock intact.

Burnley were reduced to ten men in the 84th when Lesley Ugochukwu received a second yellow card for fouling Wirtz on the edge of the box. Liverpool responded with fresh legs, bringing on Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha in a final push for victory.

The breakthrough came deep into stoppage time when Mejbri handled inside the area. Referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, and Salah calmly converted the penalty, sealing a 1-0 win and ensuring Liverpool’s fourth consecutive league victory.