MILNER, AN UNUSED SUB IN DEFEAT

Liverpool vice-captain James Milner was reduced to a spectator as his team lost at home to Burnley in a surprising manner. James Milner was an unused substitute as the Reds lost their long unbeaten run at Anfield. Before the game, Liverpool had gone 68 games at home without a defeat in the league dating back to the Crystal Palace loss almost four years ago. Liverpool manager JurgenKlopp made several changes to his usual starting XIfor the Burnley game at Anfield on Thursday night.

Klopp named fringe players like DivockOrigi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and XerdanShaqiri in his line-up ahead of first team players like Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. The fringe players didn’t do much as Liverpool struggle to break down a resolute Burnley rearguard.DivockOrigi had the best chance for Liverpool but he was unable to convert it after the ex-Lille player pounced on a rare mistake from Burnley skipper Ben Mee to race through on Nick Pope’s goal. Origi hit the crossbar with the chance which came in the first half.James Milner failed to come off the bench in the second half when Klopp wanted to change the game in his side’s favour. Klopp opted for the dropped attacking duo of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in what was his first two substitutions. James Milner was snubbed as well when Klopp made his third and final change. Takumi Minamino was sent on as the final Liverpool change but he was unable toalter the outcome of the game as the Reds suffered a slender 1-0 loss at the hands of the Clarets. Ashley Barnes scored the all-important goal from the penalty spot with six minutes left on the clock. Ashley Barnes scored the resulting penalty after he was fouled in the box by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.