2020-2021 PL: Liverpool vs. Burnley

(The Guardian) Preamble
--It’s not quite do-or-die time for Liverpool. But it’s getting close. Having stumbled through a relatively benign run of fixtures, they’ll soon be facing the likes of Tottenham, West Ham, Manchester City, Leicester and Everton. So if they fancy retaining their title, not only do they need to rediscover their form, they also can’t be dropping too many more points in games they’re expected to win.

--Are they expected to win against Burnley? You’d think so, yes, given the relegation-haunted Clarets have lost three of their last four, and have only scored nine goals all season. Liverpool on the other hand, for all their current travails, are still only six off Manchester United’s lead with a game in hand. But the champions haven’t won in four, and haven’t scored in three. Confidence is currently low ... and they’ll surely not have forgotten that Burnley were the only team to take points off them at Anfield last season. So nothing’s certain.

--Liverpool could do with a statement victory tonight. Failing that, a scrappy one would suffice, as they strain to stay on the shoulders of United, Manchester City and Leicester. Burnley are desperate for the points themselves, though, and Sean Dyche’s team aren’t the sort to lie down for the opposition. This promises to be a good contest. Kick off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

(The Guardian) Jurgen Klopp talks to BT Sport. “We play every three days, and that’s why we have to make changes. Hendo is not in the squad because he felt a little bit ... it’s not serious but he couldn’t make it tonight. It will be a very intense game tonight.”

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Sean Dyche’s turn. “We have settled down the defensive side of things, and look more solid, but then you’re looking for that balance. We have created some chances, better chances, because that’s the key to it, it’s the quality of chance. And in some games we haven’t taken those chances. From the last nine games we’ve got 14 points, so that’s a good return after a tough start.”

Happy to see Matip back.

(The Guardian) 2 min: Burnley are kicking towards the Kop in this first half. They quickly send the ball sailing into it, giving Liverpool the opportunity to stroke it around a bit. Mane looks to release Robertson down the left, forcing Brady to toe-poke behind for the first corner of the match.

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3 min: The corner’s worked to the right flank. Shaqiri whips into the mixer. Fabinho wins a header, ten yards out, but can only glance it harmlessly wide. A half-chance.

(The Guardian) 4 min: A free kick for Burnley near the halfway line, out on the left. It’s launched into the Liverpool box. Tarkowski wins a header, but it’s directionless and allows Alexander-Arnold to clear.

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5 min: Origi has a speculative swipe from 25 yards and nearly clears the Anfield Road Stand.