August was a perfect start for Liverpool, who won all three of their matches, including a key victory over Arsenal. Now they are aiming to win their first four league games for only the third time in the Premier League era, after managing it in 2018–19 and again in their title-winning 2019–20 campaign.
If they do it, they would also become the third consecutive reigning champions to open the season with four straight wins, something Manchester City achieved in the last two years. No team in English top-flight history has managed this three years in a row.
Liverpool go into the match as clear favourites. Not only is there a big gap in quality between the two sides, but they also strengthened their already powerful attack by signing Alexander Isak for £125 million on deadline day. The Reds have scored in 37 league games in a row, their best ever run, and after spending heavily in the summer it is hard to see many defences containing them.
On paper this looks like Liverpool’s easiest fixture of the week, with Atletico Madrid and Everton visiting Anfield in the days ahead. Slot will hope his side can produce a similar performance to when they last faced Scott Parker, beating his Bournemouth team 9–0 in 2022.
History is also firmly in Liverpool’s favour. They have won eight of their last nine trips to Turf Moor, including each of the last six. Another victory would see Burnley become just the fourth club to lose seven straight home matches against them.
Burnley’s record against Liverpool in the Premier League is poor, with 14 defeats in 18 meetings. Against reigning champions in general, Burnley have lost 10 of their last 11 matches, though the one exception came against Liverpool when Sean Dyche’s team won at Anfield in 2021.
It is still difficult to know exactly where Burnley stand after three matches. They lost away to Tottenham and Manchester United but performed bravely in both games, and they managed a home win over Sunderland. Last season in the Championship, Burnley’s defensive record was outstanding as they conceded only 16 goals in 46 games.
This year it has been very different, with six goals conceded in just three Premier League matches. If they let in two or more against Liverpool, they will become only the second team in English football to concede at least half of the previous season’s total in the first four games of the following campaign.
Burnley are unbeaten in their last 25 home league fixtures, but that record faces its toughest test yet. Things will not get easier either, with matches against Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Aston Villa coming up next.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Attention will turn to Liverpool’s team news at 12:45 on Sunday to see if Alexander Isak is handed his first start. That seems unlikely, as he has only played 18 competitive minutes this season for Sweden against Kosovo earlier in the week, so he is expected to begin on the bench.Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo are both in strong form, which makes it difficult for Arne Slot to leave either of them out. Gakpo also kept up his momentum with a goal for the Netherlands against Lithuania during the international break.
On the fitness front, Ibrahima Konate is available after playing for France, but Jeremie Frimpong remains sidelined with a hamstring problem and Curtis Jones is still out.
Burnley are close to welcoming back Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts from knee injuries, but this match may come too early for both. Zeki Amdouni faces a lengthy spell out with a serious knee injury, while Hjalmar Ekdal is expected to recover from a minor knock picked up on duty with Sweden.
The Clarets’ only late signing, Florentino Luis on loan from Benfica, could be in line to make his debut here.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Burnley possible starting lineup:Dubravka; Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Ugochukwu, Cullen, Florentino; Bruun Larsen, Foster, Anthony
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
MATCH PREDICTION
Burnley 1-4 Liverpool
Burnley have already conceded three goals against both Tottenham and Manchester United, and Liverpool represent an even tougher challenge. With Alexander Isak now added to their attack, the visitors could enjoy plenty of scoring opportunities.
The Clarets’ record against Liverpool offers little encouragement either, as they have lost their last six meetings at Turf Moor. There is little to suggest that run will end this weekend.
