Liverpool take on Burnley this weekend, who have so far managed to punch above their weight this season, garnering two wins and a draw from their first four games – the same record as the Reds.
One of those wins for Burnley was a stunning victory at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season, so clearly this home match for Liverpool won’t just be a walk in the park.
Last season Liverpool conspired to lose 2-0 away to the Clarets in the second game of the season, but pulled off a comeback win at Anfield; goals from Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can proved enough to cancel out Ashley Barnes’ opener. Burnley demonstrated their organisation and defensive mettle in both matches last season and this match is coming hot on the heels of Liverpool’s Champions League matchup against Sevilla.
With that in mind, here are a few things to watch out for in Saturday’s matchup at Anfield.
Will Coutinho start?
Philippe Coutinho made his first competitive appearance for Liverpool this season after coming on as a second-half substitute against Sevilla on Wednesday. Frankly, he looked awful, losing possession and failing to connect on the majority of his passes. This is to be expected, however, and he will only get better as his fitness and match sharpness improves.
The midfield trio of Henderson, Wijnaldum, and Can has only seen true success once this season, against a desperately out-of-form Arsenal side, so the addition of Coutinho should add a much-needed injection of drive, creativity and incisiveness against a side that is likely to sit deep in a low block.
What’s going on in defence?
In seven competitive games this season, Liverpool have conceded 13 goals. Let that number sink in. The failure to land any centre back this summer, let alone Virgil van Dijk, is already proving to be disastrous.
The addition of Andy Robertson was a step in the right direction, but with Moreno resurgent, was it even necessary? Although the likes of Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold have stupendous potential, the absence of Nathaniel Clyne at right back has been less than ideal.
The centre back pairing is the real issue of the back line, though. Dejan Lovren continues to moonlight as a human turnstile, and Joël Matip is as silent as a monk. Against Burnley they may face one of their most challenging tests yet in the form of Chris Wood. The 6’3″ Kiwi has two goals in two appearances this season, and the Liverpool defence has always struggled against tall, bulky strikers.
In my opinion, Joe Gomez should get the nod ahead of Lovren or Ragnar Klavan. Neither of those two have made the appropriate impact necessary for a Champions League club this season, and it may be time for Gomez’s long-awaited ascension to the centre back throne. His pace, physicality, and passing ability would add a lot to this back-line, and it would suit him more favourably than the full-back position he has been sharing with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Who replaces Mané?
Sadio Mané’s unfortunate sending off against Manchester City last weekend has thrown a spanner in the works of the Premier League’s most dangerous front three. Last season we saw that his presence was almost mandatory for a Liverpool victory to occur, but the additions of Mohamed Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have eased that eventuality somewhat.
It seems likely that Oxlade-Chamberlain will make his first start for Liverpool this weekend, in place of Mané, but it is possible that Daniel Sturridge could also slot in at striker, pushing Roberto Firmino wide to the left wing. Coutinho’s return to match fitness could also see him line up at left wing, although his presence would be most keenly felt in the centre of the park.
Regardless, look for one of those three to replace our Senegalese talisman.
