Liverpool and Burnley will face each other in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. With the Reds and the Clarets both having been knocked out of the FA Cup, the coming weekend is free for the two teams to continue their league campaign.
“Coutinho Goal” (CC BY 2.0) by Dean.Jones
While Liverpool are aiming to end up in the top four of the Premier League this season, Burnley are targeting a top-10 finish. The Reds will head into the match on the back of a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield, and according to sportsbet.io, they are favourites to pick up all three points against the Clarets – who went down 3-2 to Swansea City away from home at the Liberty Stadium in the league last weekend.
Below are three players who will have a major impact on the outcome of the Premier League game between Liverpool and Burnley at Anfield on Sunday afternoon:
Adam Lallana (Liverpool)
Adam Lallana has grown in stature and importance as the season has progressed. The England international attacking midfielder is a key figure in the current Liverpool team, and he will be massive for the Reds. The 28-year-old who can also operate as a winger has scored seven goals and provides seven assists in 25 Premier League matches so far this season. The former Southampton’s creativity and vision will be crucial for Liverpool in their quest to win against Burnley.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Philippe Coutinho is back to his best. The Brazil international attacking midfielder’s performance against Arsenal at Anfield last weekend was one of his best in the Premier League this season. The 24-year-old, another player who can play as a winger, is one of the best creative players in Europe, and against a side of modest quality such as Burnley, he will be keen on weaving his magic. Playing at Anfield in front of the Kop is also going to make Coutinho more determined to showcase his talent and class.
“Joey Barton interview4” (CC BY 2.0) by michael.kjaer
Joey Barton (Burnley)
Joey Barton may have struggled to make an impact at Scottish Premiership club Rangers earlier in the season, but he seems to have settled into life at Burnley just fine. The former Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers midfielder has already established himself as an important figure in Sean Dyche’s team, and he will be leading the Clarets’ charge to win at Anfield. The combative playing style of Barton, who is in his second spell at Turf Moor, will be very important for Burnley in order to bag at least a point against Liverpool.
It will not be easy for Liverpool to win the Premier League match against Burnley, despite being the home team. The Clarets will have nothing to lose against the Reds, and Dyche’s players will be determined to step up their game. While it is hard to envisage Burnley collecting all three points at Anfield, the chances of them bagging a point should not be dismissed. After all, Burnley held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor in the Premier League in February and played out a goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford in October.