Reds Look to Avoid Unwanted Anfield Record as Burnley Fight for Survival | OneFootball

Liverpool return to Anfield on Saturday afternoon knowing that anything less than victory would bring an unwelcome slice of Premier League history. Having already been held by newly-promoted Leeds United and Sunderland on home soil this season, Arne Slot’s side could, for the first time in the Premier League era, fail to beat all three promoted clubs at Anfield in the same campaign.

Despite that, the champions remain firmly in the top-four race and arrive into this fixture unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions.

Liverpool: Unbeaten…

While Liverpool’s unbeaten run stretches back to November, the new year has brought frustration rather than celebration in the league. Three consecutive draws against Leeds, Fulham and Arsenal have slowed their momentum, even if the 0-0 at the Emirates felt like a point gained after the chaos surrounding Gabriel Martinelli’s challenge on the injured Conor Bradley.

The Reds sit two points clear of Brentford in fourth place, with Newcastle United and Manchester United lurking just behind, making this fixture feel significant in the Champions League race. A 4-1 FA Cup win over Barnsley on Monday restored some confidence, even if the scoreline flattered Slot’s side. 

…but Short on the Cutting Edge

Liverpool are still searching for their attacking sharpness. The return of Hugo Ekitiké, who scored and assisted off the bench against Barnsley, offers a boost, but Mohamed Salah will miss out once again. Egypt’s AFCON semi-final defeat to Senegal means the 33-year-old will not return in time, with the third-place playoff against Nigeria taking place on Saturday.

Arne Slot confirmed Salah’s return in a press conference. “Next week [Salah will return], we are in talks with him and what is expected of him over there and over here. He has an important game on Saturday and then he will be back with us. We are talking together about [the Marseille game] now.” The Dutchman didn’t give much else away: “What happens with Mo and me on our phone or over here stays with us two. I don’t share it is necessary for me to share the details of the private conversations I have either on phone or here with any of my players.”

Burnley: Desperate for Points at the Bottom

Burnley travel to Anfield knowing that time is rapidly running out in their battle for survival. Scott Parker’s side are winless in 12 Premier League matches, a run that includes nine defeats and three draws since their thrilling 3-2 victory at Wolves in October.There have at least been small signs of improvement. Three of those draws have arrived in the last five games, including a spirited 2-2 result against Manchester United earlier this month. However, sitting 19th in the table and eight points from safety, the Clarets remain in serious danger.

Burnley boosted morale with a 5-1 FA Cup win over Millwall, where Ashley Barnes scored twice, but the veteran striker is expected to step aside for Armando Broja this weekend. Lyle Foster should also return after missing the cup tie through illness.

The visitors still lack defensive stability on the road, having failed to keep an away clean sheet all season. Their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Turf Moor earlier in the campaign extended their losing run against the Reds to six consecutive Premier League meetings.

Scott Parker on how much the reverse fixture against Liverpool hurt after conceding so late: “I’m not one that often looks back. It was a positive performance from us and one, of course, that hurt at the back end of such a late goal to go in. We can take massive positives from that performance playing against a world-class team and we know the challenges we face going to Anfield as well.”

Takeaways

Liverpool may not be firing on all cylinders, but their unbeaten run and home record against Burnley still make them overwhelming favourites. With Champions League qualification at stake and rivals closing in, Slot’s side can’t afford another stumble.

Burnley, meanwhile, will arrive fighting for their lives, hoping discipline and organization can keep them in the contest. However, at Anfield, against champions under pressure to respond, that may not be enough.