Liverpool vs Burnley

Liverpool are looking to shrug off their recent defeat to title rivals Arsenal when they welcome Burnley to Anfield this Saturday in the Premier League.

The 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to just two points, with a visit from Burnley perhaps the perfect opportunity for the Reds after a disappointing result. Jurgen Klopp’s side won this fixture 2-0 on Boxing Day at Turf Moor, goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota easing the league leaders to victory.

Vincent Kompany’s side are still firmly placed in the relegation zone but did manage an impressive comeback draw against Fulham last time out. January loan signing David Datro Fofana produced a brace in only his second match for the Clarets to claim a point, but a trip to Anfield will be a far more challenging proposition for a side that has kept just one clean sheet in their last ten matches in all competitions.

Here’s your lowdown on Liverpool vs Burnley this Saturday in the English top flight.

Liverpool vs Burnley H2H record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Klopp has a number of injuries and absentees to contend with ahead of the clash with Burnley, the most significant being Mohamed Salah. The winger is still absent after injuring himself at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and is highly unlikely to be fit for the visit of the Clarets.

Dominik Szoboszlai was a surprise omission from the Liverpool squad that travelled to Arsenal last Sunday and, while no official timeframe has been put on his return, he’s a major doubt for the weekend.

Ibrahima Konate will serve his one-game suspension after seeing red against Arsenal, while Conor Bradley may still be absent after his father tragically passed away recently.

Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak, Joel Matip and Kostas Tsimikas are guaranteed to be out, while Wataru Endo should be available on Saturday after returning from the Asian Cup. The Japan international will have to compete with Thiago Alcantara in midfield, the Spaniard making his first appearance of the season against Arsenal after nine months on the sidelines.

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Endo, Jones; Diaz, Nunez, Jota.

Kompany doesn’t have too many injury concerns ahead of the trip to Merseyside but is without a couple of important squad members. Luca Koleosho is one of those who will be missing, the Italy Under-21 international forward still recovering after surgery on a knee injury back in December that has likely ended his season.

Nathan Redmond is another winger who will be out for the campaign after also undergoing surgery on a thigh issue, while the defensive duo of Charlie Taylor and Jordan Beyer are nearing returns even if the Liverpool game comes too soon for them.

Fofana should be given a start up top after his heroics at Craven Cottage, while several other January signings could also be thrown into the mix such as Lorenz Assignon and Maxime Esteve.

Burnley predicted lineup (4-4-2): Trafford; Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Vitinho; Ramsey, Berge, Brownhill, Odobert; Fofana, Amdouni.

Regardless of a disjointed defeat in north London last time out, Liverpool should get back to winning ways when Burnley make the trip to Anfield. The Reds have won their last four meetings between the two sides without conceding and the Clarets’ willingness to try and play out from the back may be their undoing on Merseyside.

The return of Thiago and Wataru Endo will boost Klopp’s options in midfield, with the Reds having not lost a single game at home this season in any competition. That’s unlikely to change on Saturday and Liverpool should be claiming all three points.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Burnley

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