Liverpool vs Burnley Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

After differing results at the weekend, Liverpool and Burnley will face off in a match both will see as an opportunity to take three points.

After a 4-0 stomping of Arsenal, Liverpool went from the stompers to the stompee last week as they were beat 5-0 by Manchester City.  Most of the goals they conceded were after star man Sadio Mane was sent off, but they were already 1-0 down and being at the least marginally outplayed.  After getting spanked in Manchester, Liverpool got to go back to Anfield for their midweek Champions League tie against Sevilla. Sadly, that didn’t go great for them as they dropped two points in their first game back in the Champions League.  They’ll hope they can get their Anfield mojo back on Saturday against Burnley.

Despite a tough start to the season on paper, Burnley have started the season well.  They got a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season, then managed a 1-1 at Wembley taking an unexpected point away to Tottenham.  They also managed a slim 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace and currently sit in the top half of the table.  Burnley has started well against the top teams so far this season and, with Liverpool coming off a loss and a draw in the last week, coming off short rest, and being without Mane, they’ll hope that continues on Saturday.

Team News

As previously mentioned, Mane will be missing for this match after he was sent off for cleating Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson in the face.  They will also be without Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne through long term injuries.  Former Burnley star Danny Ings is also unlikely to play as he recovers from yet another knee injury.

Burnley suffered a massive loss last week after star goalkeeper Tom Heaton went off with a dislocated shoulder and will be out for the foreseeable future with that injury.  They’ll also be without Nahki Wells through an ankle injury, Dean Marney with an ACL injury, and could be without Jeff Hendrick with a thigh strain.

Key Players

Liverpool: Mohammed Salah

Liverpool will be without Mane for the next three domestic matches after his red card.  Last season that sent their attack into a tailspin.  They bought Mohammed Salah this summer both to compliment Mane, but also to be able to cope without him.  Salah will keep pace in the Liverpool attack and is a very good goalscorer, replacing two major benefits of having Mane in the side.  The Senegalese attacker is a massively important player for Liverpool and they’ll hope Salah can help keep them afloat without him.

Burnley: Chris Wood

Burnley broke their club record to sign Chris Wood this summer and so far he has delivered for them.  Wood has played 123 minutes, scored two goals, and taken five shots, or a shot every 25 minutes, according to WhoScored.com.  Those are some fantastic numbers and his goals have already won them a key four points with his last minute equalizer against Spurs and the only goal against Crystal Palace.  The Australian international may have cost a reported 15m, but he could be worth his weight in gold if his goals keep Burnley in the Premier League again.

Prediction

Liverpool have had their troubles at breaking down deep defences, but most of those problems have come away from home.  It’s really tough to see Liverpool losing at home to Burnley, even without Mane.

Prediction: 3-0 Liverpool