This fixture was originally scheduled to be played at Anfield but due to Liverpool still undergoing construction work on their man stand they requested the game be switched to Turf Moor. Subsequently that means a second game on the road for Jurgen Klopp’s side while Burnley have their second home game in a row.
It was mixed fortunes for the two sides over the course of the opening weekend. Burnley were beaten by a late Leroy Fer striker as Swansea snatched all three points while Liverpool got the better of a sensational 7 goal thriller with Arsenal at The Emirates.
That 4-3 win showed how effective they can be in attack this season but it also showed that they still have defensive frailties. That main frailty being Alberto Moreno at left back, he once again was at fault as he managed to give away a Penalty which thankfully was saved by Simon Mignolet only for the ex Sevilla man to then be woefully out of position as Theo Walcott slotted home from the next phase of play.
Thankfully for Moreno he got out of jail that day thanks to the brilliance over Philippe Coutinho, by the time he scored his brace Liverpool were then 4-1 up. The may have taken their foot off the gas at that point and needlessly allowed Arsenal back into the game but for a 30 minute period across both halves they were sensational.
That win would have been tempered by the news that Sadio Mane is ruled out with a shoulder injury, but Liverpool seemed to be well stocked with attacking personnel now and it could also mean a return to Turf Moor for former Burnley striker Danny Ings.
Sean Dyche has stocked up in midfield this week with the signing of Belgian international Steven Defour. Defour didn’t make Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad but there is no doubting his quality. Some may say that a move to Burnley is somewhat of a surprise especially as at one point he was being tracked by Manchester United. But Defour could very well be the kind of quality that they need.
They will also be looking to Andre Gray to open his account for the season this afternoon. He had to come away empty handed on the opening day but he would love to show that he is capable of making the step up to the Premier League against a club with the calibre of Liverpool.
That said I think Liverpool will have too much for them this afternoon, even without Sadio Mane I can see Jurgen Klopp’s side picking up from where they left off against Arsenal. Nothing less than an away win for me this afternoon.