Overview
The unbeaten streak is still maintained, but the feeling of victory is gradually moving away from Liverpool in recent rounds of the Premier League. Since the beginning of the new year, coach Arne Slot has witnessed 3 consecutive draws for the Merseyside team.
The draws against Leeds United and Fulham caused the defending champion to drop regrettable points, while the goalless draw with Arsenal last week was more positive. However, the confrontation at the Emirates was overshadowed by the controversial push-ups of Gabriel Martinelli with young defender Conor Bradley - who was then injured.
Before this weekend's round, Liverpool ranked fourth in the standings, 2 points ahead of Brentford in the last place of the Champions League. However, Newcastle United and Manchester United are still closely pursuing, increasing pressure on Arne Slot's team.
At least, Liverpool regained the feeling of victory when defeating Barnsley 4-1 in the third round of the FA Cup. Although the score did not fully reflect the difficulties in their playing style, this victory still helped The Kop extend their unbeaten streak to 11 in all competitions, since the heavy defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in November last year.
Mohamed Salah's upcoming return after the African Cup is expected to add strength to Liverpool's attack. This season, the home team at Anfield only made an average of 14.7 shots per match in the Premier League. This is their lowest number since the 2001-2002 season, showing clear signs of decline in attack.
In the opposite direction, Burnley is willing to trade anything to own scoring ability like Liverpool, when Clarets' unbeaten streak in the Premier League has extended to an alarming number of 12 matches.
Since the suffocating 3-2 victory over Wolves in October, coach Scott Parker's team has gone through a gloomy period with 9 defeats and 3 draws. However, all 3 draws came in the last 5 matches, after a series of seven consecutive defeats that made the team's morale bottom out.
Most recently, Burnley drew with Manchester United with a score of 2-2 at Turf Moor on January 7. That result helped the 19th-placed team narrow the gap with the safe group somewhat, but they are still 8 points behind the relegation position and only 6 points ahead of the reviving Wolves.
Like Liverpool, Burnley also regained the joy of victory in the FA Cup when defeating Millwall 5-1 at home - their fifth victory in all competitions this season.
Personnel situation
Bradley joined Liverpool's long-term injury list alongside Giovanni Leoni (knee) and Alexander Isak (leg). Young talent Rio Ngumoha also had fitness problems when he suffered a cramp in the victory against Barnsley and will definitely not be present in the next match.
Salah has not yet returned to Anfield immediately. His Egyptian team just lost to Sadio Mane's Senegal in the semi-finals of the African Cup, but still had to play the third-place match.
On Burnley's side, the injury list continues to give coach Scott Parker a headache. Mike Tresor, Zian Flemming, Jordan Beyer (knee), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Connor Roberts (Achille's tendon) and Josh Cullen (knee) are all unable to play. Joe Worrall still needs to check his fitness late before kick-off.
Ashley Barnes unexpectedly scored a double in the 5-1 victory over Millwall in the FA Cup. However, the 36-year-old striker is likely to return to the bench, giving the starting position to Armando Broja.
Expected lineup:
Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Wirtz, Ekitike.
Dubravka, Laurent, Esteve, Humphreys, Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Pires, Bruun Larsen, Anthony, Broja.
The match between Liverpool and Burnley takes place at 10:00 PM on January 17 (Vietnam time).
