Premier League / 20:00 KO
Champions Liverpool take on relegation threatened Burnley at Anfield this evening, with the visitors looking to once again upset the home side on their turf as they did last season, which ended the Reds 100% winning run at home.
Liverpool come into this game in fourth position following their 0-0 draw at home with table-toppers Manchester United on Sunday. A victory tonight for Jurgen Klopp’s side would take them to within a point of third-placed Leicester City, but still three points off the top.
With injuries to key players, the likes of defenders Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, Liverpool’s recent form has dipped since the start of the season, having won just one out of their last five league games, drawing three and losing one in the process.
The boss previewed tomorrow’s clash with @BurnleyOfficial in his #LIVBUR press conference.
โ Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 20, 2021
Here’s what he had to say… ๐
If Liverpool are to return to winning ways tonight, they will need their attacking influence, the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah, to step up to the task of breaking down a resilient Burnley side who have conceded just 22 goals all season, one more than the Reds themselves.
Speaking to Northern Football Correspondent for the Sunday Times, Paul Joyce, he explained that it will be a tough game for the Champions but one they should pull through to victory in, saying: “It should be a tough game for Liverpool who will want an early goal, but they have to be prepared to keep probing for an opening.”
Sean Dyche’s men sit just four points above the relegation zone in seventeenth place, with the Clarets desperate to pick up points and steer themselves up the table, following two defeats on the bounce.
For Burnley and England International keeper Nick Pope, this evening marks his 100th game for the Clarets, with Anfield also holding a special place for him as it was where he made his Premier League debut back in 2017 in a 1-1 draw.
PREVIEW | @Popey1992 looks back at his full @premierleague debut at Anfield, as the Clarets prepare to face @LFC ๐ฌ๐บ
โ Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 21, 2021
However, Anfield is no easy place to go with the home side still unbeaten there this season having dropped just four points and many still see them as favourites to go on and retain their title, despite their recent form.
Despite Liverpool’s winless run at home since mid-December, Burnley will have some task on their hands tonight if they are to escape Anfield with any points under their belt, and thwart Liverpool’s title hopes any further.