Liverpool Player Ratings vs Burnley: Florian Wirtz Fantastic but Players Booed off Pitch

In a frustrating 1-1 draw at Anfield on January 17, 2026, Liverpool dropped points against struggling Premier League bottom-dwellers Burnley, extending their poor record against promoted sides this season.[3][4][7]

Liverpool, sitting 4th with 35 points from 21 games, dominated possession and chances but failed to kill off the game, leading to fans booing the players off the pitch at full-time.[1][2][4] The Reds have now drawn all three home matches against this season's promoted teams.[3]

Florian Wirtz was the standout, earning top ratings for his brilliant opening goal—a curling effort in the first half that gave Liverpool the lead. The German playmaker dazzled with his vision, dribbling, and key passes, justifying his high price tag.[7] (Player rating: 9/10)

However, the game hinged on a missed penalty by Dominik Szoboszlai early on, which could have put Liverpool two up. Burnley equalized through Marcus Edwards' opportunistic strike, capitalizing on Liverpool's inability to manage the game.[4][7]

Key Player Ratings:

• Florian Wirtz (9/10): Fantastic goal and constant threat; best on pitch.[7]
• Alisson Becker (7/10): Solid saves but exposed by defensive lapses.
• Virgil van Dijk (6/10): Sloppy marking allowed Burnley's equalizer.
• Dominik Szoboszlai (5/10): Blazed over the penalty; otherwise quiet.[7]
• Mohamed Salah (7/10): Created chances but lacked clinical edge.
• Others (6-7/10): Team lacked ruthlessness despite dominance.[4]

Burnley, 19th with 13 points, defended resiliently and snatched a vital point, boosting their survival hopes.[1][2] Liverpool's manager expressed frustration post-match, highlighting recurring issues with game management.[4] Despite Wirtz's brilliance, the boos underscored fan discontent with another squandered opportunity.[3]

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