The Burnley dangermen Liverpool need to watch like a hawk
Liverpool take on Burnley at Anfield and will be keen to get over their Premier League hangover.
The Lancastrian side will be no walk-over, however, as they proved with a draw against Tottenham Hotspur and a heroic 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.
Sean Dyche has his men playing a combative brand of football and the Reds will have to be at their best in order to collect all three points.
But the Clarets aren’t just blood and thunder, they have dangerous footballers who will have to be kept under wraps if Jurgen Klopp wants to get another win under his belt.
Burnley always seen able to pull a quality defender out of thin air. First it was Kieran Trippier, then it was Michael Keane and finally James Tarkowski is delivering the goods.
However, this piece will focus on players who like to operate in the final third of the pitch and will start with an influential Belgian midfielder.
Steven Defour
An excellent passer that more often than not hits his target with plenty of international experience, Steven Defour is an important part of the Clarets’ machine.
He’s started every single game of the campaign so far and has contributed one assist and a passing success rate of 87.9%, according to WhoScored.com.
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Defour can create as well, and makes around one key pass per game – with two strikers that’s plenty of ammunition for Chris Wood or Sam Vokes.
The Liverpool midfield will need to disrupt the Belgian’s rythem if they are going to constrict part of the supply to their strike duo.
Robbie Brady
Republic of Ireland international winger Robbie Brady is a very capable footballer who can make life difficult for the Reds’ defence.
As previously mentioned, Dyche has two big strikers at his disposal and preventing Brady from getting good crosses in with be an important job for whoever plays at right-back.
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The former Norwich City man was an expensive outlay for the Clarets and his left foot is one of the key ways in which Burnley will look to attack.
With Liverpool’s well known defensive softness, getting out to cover Brady and preventing him from causing problems down the flank will be an important area of the game.
Chris Wood
Former Leeds United striker Chris Wood is in red hot form and he will need to be silence by the Reds central defensive partnership.
Whoever Jurgen Klopp goes for will have a physical battle on their hands if they are going to get the better of the New Zealand international.
With two goals in two games this season and 27 under his belt from the 2016/2017 Championship campaign, the Kiwi will be high on confidence.
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Saturday will be a big test of the physical nature of Joe Gomez, Ragnar Klavan, Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip. But please, Heavy Metal Gods, don’t let it be Klavan again.