Saturday 16 September 2017 20:06, UK
Sean Dyche praised goalkeeper Nick Pope after his performance helped Burnley secure a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
Pope made his first Premier League start against Liverpool, deputising for injured England goalkeeper Tom Heaton and made a number of fine saves as Dyche's men continued their unbeaten start to the season away from home.
The 25-year-old needed to be at his best to keep out Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected shot before tipping substitute Dominic Solanke's volley onto the bar, and Dyche insists he is improving all the time.
"First-half he didn't have too much to do," Dyche told Sky Sports.
"He ended up picking the ball out of the back of the net but it was more to do with the defensive unit, who I was delighted with today.
"Second-half, when you really need your keeper he makes two great saves. One took a nick on the way through which he got a quick hand to and the second right under his bar.
"That's what the goalkeeper is there for. He's learning all the time and improving."
Dyche's well-drilled side took the lead through Scott Arfield with their first shot on target before Mohamed Salah's fifth goal of the season, and his fourth in succession at Anfield, quickly restored parity.
But Burnley's game plan held firm and they could have won it themselves when centre-back Ben Mee had one effort headed over by Joel Matip and another saved by Simon Mignolet in the same attack.
"I'm very pleased for everyone," Dyche added. "We know how tough it is to come to these grounds, we've experienced it before and we know it's another big challenge for us this season.
"We are trying to move the team forward and they are adapting to the constant challenge of the Premier League. We know that you've got to do that in different ways.
"It's very difficult to come to these places and expect to dominate the ball so the game plan was actually not to dominate the ball.
"Therefore we have to plan with them having the ball and how we deal with that. We did that side of it very well and overall you take a point and I think it's fair."
The result means Burnley stay unbeaten away from home so far this season following victory at Chelsea on the opening day of the season and a draw at Tottenham.
And Dyche is delighted with how his side have dealt with a difficult looking opening to the season.
"When we looked at the fixture list when it first came out, it looked a tough start," he added.
"I don't think anyone would have given us a chance of getting five points [at Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool] but the important thing is we do.
"We do give ourselves a chance and that's what we did today."
