Game Week 24 Predictions: Straight win Liverpool

Analysis: Liverpool's response after Arsenal loss, Burnley's defensive challenges, key players to watch.

Liverpool must beat Burnley on Saturday, how will Burnley approach the game? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Liverpool vs Burnley

Anfield

4:00pm

It didn’t quite work well for Liverpool at the Emirates last weekend, they labored in vain as they surrendered to the Gunners but, it’s only their second loss of the season.

Burnley unleashed a new hero last weekend against Fulham. Their defensive problems ruined the script for them against the Lilywhites, conceding cheap goals and chasing the game till the end, they need better fortunes against the wounded Liverpool.

Where did it go wrong for Liverpool against Arsenal? The hosts dominated the opening exchange, scored and played better out of position. Liverpool couldn’t get their triangles right as Arsenal closed every outlet, forcing Jurgen Klopp to yank off Trent Alexander Arnold after halftime.

Against Burnley, Liverpool will be quite expressive, and they just might take the heat out on the poor Cherries. Expect lots of goals in this one and maybe, you get to see Darwin Nunez from the start, his chaotic runs could be important.

Burnley will start David Fofana against Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea, the young lad scored twice off the bench and, you don’t keep such talent out for long. How much joy will the young man get against Virgil Van Dijk?

Speaking of the Dutch defender, the calamity against Arsenal was a rarity, he and Alison conjured a crazy situation to hand Gabriel Martinelli a gift of a goal which got Arsenal’s nose back up in the game, he won’t have Ibrahim Konate for this game after the Frenchman was shown the red card.

Joe Gomez has been the man for Liverpool in defense, playing on either side of full backs and now will have to fit into center back. Andy Robertson is expected to start, and Alexander Arnold will return at right back with Connor Bradley back from his compassionate leave.

There’s little Burnley can do, it’s a bit of a free hit for them. Seven points off safety having played a game more than the Hatters, this is time for Burnley to drive out of the relegation zone before it gets too sticky but what’s the hope against Liverpool?

Mohammed Salah is still unavailable; Diogo Jota will be immense in this game alongside Luiz Diaz. The Cody Gakpo experiment failed against Arsenal, you’ll expect a different approach to this game, Liverpool can’t afford to drop points with Arsenal only two points behind in third.

Verdict: Liverpool to win.