Liverpool v Burnley – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Liverpool host Burnley in the English Premier League in the early kickoff on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp’s team will be delighted to be playing at Anfield in front of their fans once again and take on a Burnley side fresh off a home defeat to Brighton on the opening day.

Liverpool Form

The Reds look back to their very best. Having finished last season on a run of 26 points in their final ten matches (8 wins, 2 draws), they began this season by beating Norwich 3-0 at Carrow Road. The backline looks much more solid again and the attack is functioning better too.

Their run-in last season saw a 3-0 win against Arsenal and a 4-2 win at rivals Man Utd and the side is currently on a four-match winning run on the road. After losing six consecutive matches at Anfield last season, Klopp’s side ended the campaign with three wins and a draw in their final four matches on home turf.

Liverpool Team News

The good news for Liverpool against Norwich was the return of Virgil Van Dijk. He played 90 minutes alongside Joel Matip and looked confident after his serious knee injury. The Reds had effectively their second choice midfield with none of Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara or Fabinho starting. The former two should make the bench for this one and Fabinho could start.

Diego Jota could keep Roberto Firmino on the bench despite both players scoring in the last match but it’s possible that Klopp rotates and both get the nod.

Liverpool Motivation

Liverpool will be hugely motivated to play in front of a full Anfield for the first time since winning the league title.

Expect Klopp’s side to play with real adrenalin and intensity with their supporters driving them on. Anything less than a win would be a very poor result.

The Lab – Stats Centre

Burnley Form

The form of Sean Dyche’s men since April has been dire. The last ten league matches have brought eight defeats and two wins. Since winning 2-0 at Fulham in May, the Clarets have lost 4-0 at home to Leeds, 3-0 at home to Liverpool and 1-0 at relegated Sheffield United.

Burnley started this season with a 2-1 home loss to Brighton despite leading 1-0 through James Tarkowski’s early goal. In truth, they could have taken a point with the Expected Goals reading 1.7 to 1.6 in Burnley’s favour. On the road, the side looks a lot better with five wins in their last ten matches away from home including a 1-0 victory at Anfield in January.

Burnley Team News

Dyche has two injuries to contend with as midfielder Dale Stephens and centre back Kevin Long miss out on this match.

Burnley were close to full strength on the opening day and the only likely change is Ashley Barnes replacing Jay Rodriguez upfront to bring more bite to the side. A 4-4-2 shape will definitely be used either way.

Burnley Motivation

Burnley are certain to play quite defensively with two banks of four and even the front two dropping back to supplement midfield.

Dyche would take a draw in a heartbeat if you offered it to him and his side will play for a point from the start.

Key Stats

Liverpool have won their last 6 PL matches

Liverpool have scored 3 or more goals against Burnley in 4 of their last 6 against them

The Reds have kept 3 PL clean sheets in a row

Burnley have seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 8 away PL matches

Burnley have lost their last 4 PL matches, scoring once

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino has scored 5 goals in his last 6 matches against Burnley

Prediction

Liverpool should win this match. They look imperious again and Burnley are totally out of form and look stale as a team. A home win to nil looks the best bet whilst a punt on Liverpool to score three goals against Burnley again could be worth it.