Liverpool vs Burnley Premier League preview, team news and prediction

View Image

Liverpool are at risk of an unwanted club milestone as they host Burnley at Anfield in Saturday’s Premier League clash. Having already dropped points at home to newly-promoted Leeds United and Sunderland this season, the Reds could, for the first time in the Premier League era, fail to win any of their home league games against promoted sides in a single campaign.

While Liverpool’s unbeaten streak continues, wins have been hard to come by in recent weeks. Under Arne Slot, the Reds have drawn three consecutive Premier League matches since the turn of the year. While draws against Leeds and Fulham felt like missed opportunities, last week’s goalless stalemate with Arsenal was a hard-earned point, albeit overshadowed by Gabriel Martinelli’s controversial shove on the injured Conor Bradley.

Liverpool currently sit two points ahead of Brentford in the race for the final Champions League spot, with Newcastle United and Manchester United also close behind. However, Slot’s men returned to winning ways on Monday night with a 4-1 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup third round—a result that extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions since November’s Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven. The imminent return of Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations will further boost Liverpool’s attacking options, which have been less potent this season—their average of 14.7 shots per game in the Premier League is their lowest since 2001-02.

Burnley, meanwhile, would welcome even a fraction of Liverpool’s attacking prowess as their winless run in the Premier League has now stretched to 12 matches. Scott Parker’s side have suffered nine defeats and three draws since their dramatic 3-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers in October, though three of those draws have come in their last five games after a dispiriting run of seven straight losses. Most recently, Burnley held Darren Fletcher’s Manchester United to a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor on January 7, but they remain 19th in the table, eight points from safety and just six ahead of a resurgent Wolves.

Like Liverpool, Burnley found some relief in the FA Cup, putting five past Millwall in a 5-1 win to notch only their fifth victory of the season in all competitions. However, the Clarets are still searching for their first away clean sheet of the 2025-26 campaign, and September’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool extended their losing streak against the Reds to six Premier League matches.

Martinelli’s claim that Bradley was time-wasting at the Emirates proved to be unfounded, as the Liverpool right-back is now sidelined for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury—though he has fortunately avoided ACL damage. Bradley joins Giovanni Leoni (knee), Alexander Isak (leg), and Wataru Endo (ankle) on Liverpool’s growing injury list. Meanwhile, teenage prospect Rio Ngumoha suffered cramp during the win over Barnsley but was never in contention to start on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah’s Egypt endured AFCON disappointment, falling to Sadio Mane’s Senegal in the semi-finals. With the Pharaohs set to face Nigeria in the third-place playoff on Saturday, Salah will not be available for Liverpool’s upcoming fixture.

On a more positive note, Hugo Ekitike made a successful return from injury, coming off the bench to score and assist against Barnsley, and he should be in contention to lead the line this weekend.

For Burnley, Jordan Beyer (thigh), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Connor Roberts (Achilles), and Josh Cullen (knee) are all ruled out, while Zian Flemming and Joe Worrall face late fitness tests due to unspecified issues. Veteran Ashley Barnes netted twice in the Clarets’ emphatic FA Cup win over Millwall, but the 36-year-old is likely to make way for a fresh Armando Broja up front. Fellow forward Lyle Foster missed the Millwall game through illness but is expected to recover in time to feature against Liverpool.

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.

Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here .

Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.