Burnley vs Liverpool preview, predictions & possible XIs
Liverpool face the tough task of maintaining their perfect start to the season with a trip to Burnley on Saturday.
Last year’s runners-up have recorded victories over Norwich City, Southampton and Arsenal so far, winning their home games convincingly but only scraping a win at St Mary’s.
Meanwhile, Burnley have had a mixed start to the new campaign, beating Southampton before losing at Arsenal and drawing with Wolves – but can they take a surprise scalp at Turf Moor?
Read on for our predictions, key players, TV info and team news.
When is Burnley v Liverpool and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Turf Moor
Date: Saturday, August 31
Kick-off: 5.30pm BST
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Last five meetings: Burnley v Liverpool
10 March 2019: Liverpool 4-2 Burnley
5 December 2018: Burnley 1-3 Liverpool
1 January 2018: Burnley 1-2 Liverpool
16 September 2017: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley
12 March 2017: Liverpool 2-1 Burnley
Aggregate score: Burnley (LLLDL) 6-12 Liverpool (WWWDW)
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Ones to watch
Burnley: Ashley Barnes
Barnes has made a superb start to the season, following up his brace on the opening weekend with goals against Arsenal and Wolves. Only Raheem Sterling and Teemu Pukki (5) have scored more goals than him so far this term, and the striker will be eager to keep up his impressive record this calendar year by downing Liverpool with another goal on Saturday.
Key stat: Barnes has scored 13 Premier League goals in 2019 – only Sergio Aguero (16) and Sadio Mane (15) have scored more.
Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool’s incredibly talented front three will always get most of the credit when it comes to the team’s attacking prowess, but Alexander-Arnold has quietly become one of Jurgen Klopp’s most important offensive players. The full-back is a productive force down the right, and Burnley will have to be at their best defensively if they are to deal with his constant deliveries.
Key stat: Only Kevin De Bruyne (14) has created more chances than Alexander-Arnold (11) in the Premier League so far this season.
Team news
Burnley
Johann Berg Gudmundsson (calf) was deemed to have an “outside chance” of playing against Liverpool before missing the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Sunderland. Robbie Brady also remains sidelined.
Predicted XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Lennon, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Woods, Barnes.
Liverpool
Naby Keita is not expected to return from injury in time to play a part, while Alisson Becker has been ruled out as he continues his recovery from a calf problem.
Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Squawka prediction
With no Alisson between the sticks, Liverpool could keep up their unwanted record of conceding in every game so far – especially with Barnes in form for Burnley. But the visitors should have too much for Sean Dyche’s men in the end.
Burnley 1-3 Liverpool
