Liverpool bounced back in style from defeat in a thrilling encounter, beating Bolton 3-2. Goals from Johnson and Torres before Gerrard hit a screamer ensured that Liverpool took all three points from The Reebok Stadium.
Liverpool will now return from the 2 week international break, looking to put behind us the memory of our last Premier League home game – the defeat to Aston Villa.
History
Memories of fixtures against Burnley stretch far and back. The last time Liverpool played Burnley in a competitive fixture was in January 2005, an FA Cup 3rd round tie at Turf Moor. However, it wasn’t one for Rafa to remember as we slumped to a 1-0 defeat which knocked us out of the FA Cup, a comical Djimi Traore own goal early in the second half did the damage.
More than three decades ago in 1976, our last league encounter was at Anfield and saw the Reds cruise to a 2-0 win with a Fairclough double, but the game at Turf Moor that season, the Reds had only a goalless draw to show for their efforts.
Liverpool fans will remember that Liverpool’s very first FA Cup final was facing Burnley in 1914 at Crystal Palace (it was Burnley’s first final as well). Burnley won the game 1-0 to break Liverpool’s hearts prior to World War I. It remains Burnley’s only FA Cup victory and it was the last final played at Crystal Palace. It was also the first time a reigning monarch had presented the trophy.
Burnley managed to win the Charity Shield in 1973 thanks to a temporary change in the format which bizarrely saw the winners of Division 2 (that year Burnley) take on the FA Cup runners up.
Head to Head (All competitions)
Total
Liverpool – 38
Draw – 24
Burnley – 32
At Anfield
Liverpool – 27
Draw = 11
Burnley – 8
Injuries
Martin Skrtel should be fit for this tie because he has returned to international duty during the break, and is expected to line up against Burnley. Nabil El Zhar and Fabio Aurelio remains doubtful.
Alberto Aquilani and Daniel Agger will sit out of this game due to injury.
Form
Liverpool have been somewhat inconsistent and shaky in the opening four games of the season. An opening day loss to Spurs was followed by a 4-0 trouncing of Stoke. Some wasteful finishing in front of goal saw the reds suffer a 1-3 reverse against Aston Villa, but they quickly put that at the back of the minds when they performed another comeback to win 3-2 against Bolton away.
Burnley started their new Premier League campaign off on the wrong foot with a loss to Stoke, but impressive victories over Manchester United and Liverpool’s bitter rivals Everton have brought about a wave of optimism amongst fans. They were, however, brought back down to earth at Stamford Bridge; losing 3-0 to Chelsea.
Teams
Liverpool – (from) Reina, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Insua, Johnson, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Kuyt, Torres, Gerrard, Dossena, Benayoun, Voronin, Skrtel, Plessis, Gulacsi, Kelly, Babel.
Martin Skrtel is expected to be back to slot in beside Carragher while Kyrgiakos drops to the bench for this game. All eyes will be on whether Babel will return to the squad.
Possible starting XI – Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera, Torres.
Burnley – (from) Jensen, Bikey, Carlisle, Jordan, Mears, McCann, Alexander, Elliott, Blake, Fletcher, Paterson, Kalvenes, Gudjonsson, Eagles, Penny, Thompson, Vasquez, McDonald.
Burnley are one of the shocks of the Premier League season so far, having already beaten United and Everton, however, their weakness includes a lack of positioning and pace, they seem to have a bit more edge in attack, though.
Possible starting XI – Jensen, Jordan, Bikey, Carlisle, Mears, Blake, Elliott, McCann, Alexander, Paterson, Fletcher.
My Prediction
Burnley will be a motivated team, inspired as they’re playing against another ‘Big Four’ club. They will be also keen to get over the defeat at Stamford Bridge 2 weeks ago. Burnley have already beaten two of last seasons top 6 sides, so its vital we display the right attitude. However, I expect Liverpool to continue from where they left off against Bolton, but I think this is going to be a scrappy affair.
Liverpool 2-1 Burnley
