Liverpool will travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley on Saturday, and the Reds will hope to keep their perfect start to the Premier League intact and remain at the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp’s side managed to beat Arsenal convincingly, and confidence is high in the Liverpool ranks after their solid start to the season. Add to that the awards Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk picked up on Thursday, and you can see who the favourites will be heading into the game at Turf Moor.
Taking on Burnley away from home will present a few obstacles, though, as the Clarets have shown signs that they will be a tough side to break down. Sean Dyche’s side play an extremely compact game, so the Reds will have to be at their creative best and ensure they don’t get done on the break come Saturday.
Ahead of the game, let’s look at three reasons why Liverpool will beat Burnley:
The form of the front three
The trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah are in top form at the moment, and their combination play coupled with prolific finishing means Burnley can’t afford lapses in concentration.
Burnley have also conceded six goals in the last three games in all competitions, and the Klopp will look at those stats and feel his side can put a few goals past the Clarets.
Roberto Firmino’s link up play with Mane and Salah means Burnley have an uphill task of keeping the Liverpool attack quiet.
The impact of full-backs
Liverpool showed against Arsenal that even when you play a low-block and a compact, narrow game, the two full-backs — Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold — can put in devilish deliveries into the box and test the defensive resolve.
While the duo’s crossing is top notch, they also have the ability to mix it up and cut inside, because their passing is that good. With a player like Fabinho sitting deep, the two full-backs will be asked to again stretch the play, so the low-block might only be a temporary relief against Liverpool.
Recent form, anyone?
Since Klopp has taken over, Liverpool have never kept a cleansheet against Burnley. However, they have won four of their last five meetings between the two sides, and that might have an impact on the game.
If Burnley come out and play, Liverpool will tear them apart. If they sit deep, Liverpool will eventually wear them down with their possession. Luck will be a huge aspect, but considering the Reds have world class players, they will definitely start as the favourites come Saturday.