Liverpool’s juggernaut continued to roll in style as they put in their best performance of the season to prevail over champions Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
It was a huge effort from the Reds having played 120 minutes just two days prior in Turkey, and Burnley’s visit comes at a time when they could have done with a much needed break.
Burnley despite being deeply involved in the relegation battle have ground out impressive draws away at Manchester City and Chelsea and were unlucky to lose out to a Raheem Sterling goal when the two sides met on Boxing Day in the reverse fixture.
The problem is that they have won just once on their travels, an impressive 2-1 win at The Britannia Stadium, and more importantly conceded a lot of goals at the back despite some spirited performances.
After getting a huge point away at Stamford Bridge from a controversial match, Burnley lost at home to Swansea, and even though they were unlucky not to get a couple of penalties, they must win a few home games to stand any chance of staying up.
Team News
Liverpool
Youngster Jordan Ibe has been ruled out for at least four weeks with an LCL injury while Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva continue to miss out through injuries.
Mamadou Sakho could return to the starting line-up having missed out on the win over Manchester City while Jon Flanagan has returned to training and is nearing full fitness.
Burnley
Kevin Long, Matthew Taylor and Dean Marney continue to be the only long term-absentees for Sean Dyche’s side.
Probable Line-Ups
Liverpool: 3-4-2-1: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Lovren; Markovic, Henderson, Allen, Moreno; Lallana, Coutinho; Sturridge
Burnley: 4-4-1-1: Heaton; Trippier, Keane, Shackell, Mee; Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Kightly; Barnes, Ings
Last Five Meetings
26 Dec 2014 Burnley 0 – 1 Liverpool Premier League
25 Apr 2010 Burnley 0 – 4 Liverpool Premier League
12 Sep 2009 Liverpool 4 – 0 Burnley Premier League
18 Jan 2005 Burnley 1 – 0 Liverpool F.A. Cup
04 Jan 1997 Liverpool 1 – 0 Burnley F.A. Cup
Interesting Stats
- Liverpool have gone 11 games undefeated in the Premier League.
- Liverpool last lost to Burnley at Anfield 40 years ago in 1974/75.
- Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 6 home matches in the Premier League.
- Burnley have won just once in their 13 games.
- Burnley last kept a cleansheet almost three months back when they beat Southampton at Turf Moor in December by a solitary goal.
- Burnley along with QPR have the least number of wins on the road (1) and the second lowest points away from home along with Leicester (8).
- Burnley have conceded the most goals in the league with QPR (45).
Key Men
Liverpool – Philippe Coutinho
Having scored two blinders in his previous two outings, the Brazilian will be looking to continue his rich vein of form that has seen him become one of the most important cogs of Brendan Rodgers’ system in recent times. Operating in between the lines, Coutinho drops deep in the midfield and dribbles with non-chalance that is rarely seen in the league. His flicks, touches and outside of the boot passes are a joy to watch for fans and neutrals alike, though he can be devastating to the opponent’s defence.
His tenacity off the ball is also necessary for the high pressing game Liverpool play, and no other Liverpool player has won more tackles than the 22-year-old in the two months since the turn of the year. Burnley’s defence and midfield will be stretched to the extreme as they deal with the duo of Adam Lallana and Coutinho, both of whom were immense on Sunday, and Liverpool should find joy if Coutinho is in the mood.
Burnley – Danny Ings
Rumoured to be joining Liverpool at the end of the season, this represents a chance for Burnley’s top scorer in the Premier League to showcase his talent at what could be his new home.
Having been chased by Liverpool in the summer, Ings was refused a move to help Burnley’s fight for survival and the Clarets have put in a string of decent performances but have little to show for it.
Nine goals and four assists though tell only a part of the story that has unfolded for Ings with the 22-year-old not too far away from being called up for his first England cap. 1.1 key passes and 2.8 shots per game make him a Burnley’s biggest threat.
Having refused Real Sociedad, Ings could show the Kop what they might get next season if he manages to lead Burnley to a point on Wednesday.
Prediction
After their impressive win against Manchester City, it would be unwise to predict anything but a comfortable home win, though Burnley should put up a brave fight as usual and you can win at the odds of 6/1 if you bet on William Hill for a 2-0 home win.
