Burnley have enjoyed an excellent start to the season considering the fixtures they’ve had to contend with. They’ve faced three of last season’s top five sides as well as played away at Stoke who had one of the best home records in the division. Now they face last season’s runners-up at Anfield after being brought back down to earth by a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea in their last game.
Liverpool won their last match 3-2 at Bolton which should give them fresh impetus after losing two of their opening four matches. Owen Coyle’s side may have won both their home games but they’ve now lost both their away matches without scoring and conceded five goals in the process. I expect more of the same at Anfield despite the majority of Liverpool’s players having been away on international duty.
The main problem Rafa Benitez’s side have faced this season is their inability to defend set-pieces as all seven goals conceded have come via that route. This is a surprising development but this shouldn’t be as much of a problem against the Clarets who are not the biggest of teams. The Reds may have lost their last home league game surprisingly to Aston Villa but it’s been over four and a half years since they lost back-to-back league games at Anfield and I can’t see Burnley pulling off another big shock.
Despite the loss of Xabi Alonso Liverpool are still creating lots of chances which is emphasized by the fact that Rafa’s team have had 37 shots on target already this season, more than any other side in the Premier League. If Burnley are to stand any chance of stopping the home side then they will have to stop Fernando Torres who has scored 4 goals in his last 5 league appearances and has an incredible record at Anfield.
The Spanish international has scored a staggering 30 goals in 32 Premier League appearances in front of his home fans. Unfortunately for Owen Coyle and Burnley fans, I expect he’s going to improve on that record this weekend.
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Two amazing facts there; we have most shots on target so far and Nando's home scoring record - phenomenal !!
Liverpool won their last match 3-2 at Bolton which should give them fresh impetus after losing two of their opening four matches. Owen Coyle’s side may have won both their home games but they’ve now lost both their away matches without scoring and conceded five goals in the process. I expect more of the same at Anfield despite the majority of Liverpool’s players having been away on international duty.
The main problem Rafa Benitez’s side have faced this season is their inability to defend set-pieces as all seven goals conceded have come via that route. This is a surprising development but this shouldn’t be as much of a problem against the Clarets who are not the biggest of teams. The Reds may have lost their last home league game surprisingly to Aston Villa but it’s been over four and a half years since they lost back-to-back league games at Anfield and I can’t see Burnley pulling off another big shock.
Despite the loss of Xabi Alonso Liverpool are still creating lots of chances which is emphasized by the fact that Rafa’s team have had 37 shots on target already this season, more than any other side in the Premier League. If Burnley are to stand any chance of stopping the home side then they will have to stop Fernando Torres who has scored 4 goals in his last 5 league appearances and has an incredible record at Anfield.
The Spanish international has scored a staggering 30 goals in 32 Premier League appearances in front of his home fans. Unfortunately for Owen Coyle and Burnley fans, I expect he’s going to improve on that record this weekend.
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Two amazing facts there; we have most shots on target so far and Nando's home scoring record - phenomenal !!
