Liverpool hoping to end three-game winless run as Burnley visits.
Having earned a goalless draw last time out against Arsenal, the Reds take on Burnley, hoping to put an end to a three-game winless run. Liverpool vs. Burnley begins at 15:00 [GMT] on Saturday, January 17, at Anfield.
Liverpool head back for Premier League action following a 4-3 win over Barnsley in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. They welcome Burnley to Anfield in a Premier League fixture that heavily favours the reigning champions, both historically and in recent form. Anfield has traditionally been an unforgiving venue for Burnley. Liverpool have lost just once in their nine Premier League home meetings with the Clarets, recording six wins and two draws alongside that solitary defeat. Notably, that loss came in January 2021, the only previous season in which Liverpool faced Burnley at home while being reigning champions. Burnley will take some encouragement from that memory, but the broader picture remains daunting. Recent head-to-head form firmly tilts the balance towards Liverpool. This season, Liverpool have drawn 1-1 with Sunderland and 0-0 with Leeds at Anfield, results that were seen as below their usual standards. The Reds have not gone three successive home league games without a win against promoted sides since January 2002, and they last failed to win all three such fixtures in a single league campaign back in 1980-81. That historical context adds extra motivation for Liverpool to ensure there is no repeat of recent frustration. Arne Slot’s side will be looking to put an end to an odd run of three successive draws [WWDDD]. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Hugo Ekitike in attack is expected against the newly promoted side.
Overall, 19th-placed Burnley [DDLLD] have managed only 11 goals in 19 Premier League encounters with Liverpool, averaging just 0.6 goals per game. Among teams they have faced more than twice in the competition, only Arsenal have restricted Burnley to a lower scoring average, highlighting how difficult this fixture has historically been for them. From Burnley’s perspective, discipline and defensive organisation will be crucial. Their recent meetings with Liverpool suggest that conceding first often opens the floodgates, making damage limitation a priority in the early stages. Burnley have lost their last six Premier League games against the Reds, conceding 12 goals and scoring just once in that run. Nevertheless, while Burnley may draw belief from Liverpool’s lone recent slip in this exact scenario, the weight of evidence suggests the hosts are well positioned to extend their strong record. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Broja in attack is expected against Liverpool.