By Abhijan Barua

It’s back to the Premier League for Liverpool this Saturday, hosting second-from-bottom side Burnley at Anfield.

Both sides are coming off the back of 3rd round wins in the FA Cup last week. The Reds swept past League One side Barnsley 4-1 at home while The Clarets brushed aside Championship team Millwall 5-1.

Match Preview

Credit: The Straits Times

The two sides last met in September at Turf Moor where Scott Parker’s side made Liverpool sweat for a 1-0 win – earnt only thanks to a Mohamed Salah penalty in the last minute of added time.

Manager Arne Slot’s side are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League matches but are looking to return to winning ways after 3 draws on the trot against Leeds United, Fulham and leaders Arsenal – who are 14 points ahead of 4th placed Liverpool.

Burnley, meanwhile, are 19th on the table and haven’t won in their last 12 league matches since defeating Leeds United 2-0 at home in October. Their last match however was a 2-2 draw at home with Manchester United and this Saturday, they will be looking for some of that resilience along with the momentum from the FA Cup thrashing of Millwall. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to end a 3-match winless streak in the league and pick up their first 3
points of the new year.

Team News

Other than the long-term injured Connor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and record summer signing Alexander Isak, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has the rest of the squad at his disposal for Saturday – all but one.

Mo Salah remains away on Afcon duty with Egypt, but Slot expects him back next week against Marseille in the Champions League. The Dutchman went out of his way on Friday to re-emphasise the forward’s significance, especially given their ongoing injuries, telling reporters at the pre-match conference he would be happy to have the ‘Egyptian King’ available even if he “had 15 attackers”. Bradley’s injury against Arsenal at The Emirates has led to suggestions of youngster Calvin Ramsay featuring at right-back for Liverpool. Slot however, said there may be “still better options” at the back.

Hugo Ekitike returned from injury against Barnsley, coming off the bench in the second half along with Florian Wirtz, with the duo assisting each other’s goals for Liverpool’s third and fourth. Both could return to the starting XI on the weekend.

Federico Chiesa remains at Liverpool, amidst loan move rumours to Italy, and should feature against Burnley in some capacity after starting against Barnsley. English teenager Rio Ngumoha also started that match but limped off with what his manager suggested was cramp, and any involvement this weekend is doubtful.

Club vice-captain Andy Robertson, whose Liverpool future remains up in the air may feature on the bench, unless current first choice left-back Milos Kerkez is used differently.

Predicted XI

Liverpool: Becker, Frimpong, van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz,
Chiesa, Ekitike

Pre- Match Verdicts

Liverpool have beaten Burnley in their last six Premier League encounters and with next season’s Champions League spot far from secure, they will be looking to catch up with Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Burnley, on the other hand, have scored 7 goals in their last two matches and will be looking to exploit Liverpool’s recent defensive vulnerabilities – especially set-pieces.

Prediction: Liverpool 4 – 2 Burnley