Liverpool vs Burnley Betting Tips (21/08/21) – Home Comforts for the Reds In Front of Buzzing Anfield Crowd

March 11, 2020. That was the last time that a full Anfield crowd witnessed their heroes in action, and it’s been a long old 17 months ever since. But finally, the wait will be over on Saturday lunchtime as Liverpool welcome Burnley to Merseyside.

It will be emotional, it will be loud and it will be raucous – in fact, it may replicate some of those legendary nights in European competition when the Kop cheered the Reds to victory in the most intense atmosphere imaginable.

Watching football games from the sofa isn’t quite the same, although Liverpool and Norwich City did their best to serve up some lively Saturday night entertainment last time out.

Canaries fans could argue that the 3-0 scoreline flattered the Reds, and the promoted side certainly gave Jurgen Klopp’s men a good run for their money.

But after a nip-and-tuck opening first 25 minutes in which both teams had chances, Liverpool’s class eventually shone as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah combined in the penalty area before the ball found its way to Diogo Jota – he lashed home the opener with glee.

The Reds grew in stature from there, and while Norwich remained an energetic force they lacked the quality in the final third to really test the Liverpool defence – that contained Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, who started for the first time in what feels like an eternity, and Premier League debutant Kostas Tsimikas.

Bobby Firmino had only been on the pitch for four minutes when he extended the Reds’ lead – tapping home when Salah, uncharacteristically you might say, unselfishly slip the ball into his path when well placed.

But the Egyptian would not be denied, and he finally got his goal in the 74th minute, curling home a left-foot shot that has become his trademark strike in the red shirt.

Three goals, three points, a clean sheet and the welcome return of some much-missed players – opening day victories don’t get much better than that. All eyes now focus on Anfield for the long-awaited return of supporters on Saturday….

Liverpool Team News

A lack of match fitness led to a rather surprising Liverpool starting eleven taking to the field at Carrow Road, and to some extent that theme looks set to continue this week.

The likes of Jordan Henderson and Thiago simply aren’t ready to return to action yet, and they are likely to remain sidelined.

Can Van Dijk and Matip play two games in a week? We’ll probably find out with Klopp’s team selection, but he’ll certainly want to start both if possible given Burnley’s occasionally agricultural approach to the game.

We would expect Fabinho to play from the start against the Clarets, and we anticipate him being joined by James Milner and one other – Naby Keita is perhaps ahead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the queue right now.

We know that Andy Robertson’s injury precludes him from selection, but Tsimikas let nobody down against Norwich and seems likely to start once more.

In attack, it seems to be a straight choice between Jota and Firmino for the central role – both seem to be in form, so which way will Klopp go?

Burnley Form

By hook or by crook, Burnley continue to avoid relegation from the Premier League despite their meagre budget.

Each season, the bookies price up the Clarets in a way which suggests they are amongst the favourites for the drop, and the 1-2 defeat to Brighton on the opening day hinted at such one more.

They took an early lead though a contentious James Tarkowski goal, and enjoyed an easy ride for the rest of the first period against a weirdly passive Seagulls.

But Graham Potter made changes at half time, and in abandoning their defensive shape Brighton scared the life out of Burnley, scoring twice. They could have added more too….

Liverpool vs Burnley Betting Tips

Once more, we find ourselves wrestling to find some betting value with Liverpool priced at 1/6 to win this game.

Even the Asian handicaps hold little appeal, with the best priced 3/4 still seeing the Reds needing to overcome a -1.75 goal deficit.

The history books could be a useful portent as to what might happen on Saturday. Liverpool have a decent record against Burnley, but it’s clear that the Lancashire outfit raises their game at Anfield – in their last five visits their formline against the Reds reads W1 D2 L2, which is perhaps better than we might expect.

Three of those five have witnessed Under 2.5 Goals too, which perhaps shows that Sean Dyche’s men find a way to prevent Klopp’s side from playing.

So why don’t we run with it: the Under 2.5 Goals line this week is a handsome 6/4 with the bookies.