Sitting alone atop the Premier League table after the first three matchdays, Liverpool will aim to extend their perfect start to the season with a fourth straight win when they take on Burnley on Sunday.
With plenty to speculate on following the international break, what are some things Liverpool will be looking for ahead of the trip to Turf Moor?
1. Arne Slot’s decision to start Alexander Isak or not
There’s one thing all Liverpool fans likely have on their minds heading into Sunday’s match against the Clarets: will Alexander Isak get into the Starting XI?
The Swedish international finally saw competitive action for the first time this season after refusing to appear for Newcastle United, coming on in the 72nd minute against Kosovo this past Monday to mark his long-awaited debut in the 2025-26 campaign.
Granted, a World Cup qualifier doesn’t match the quality or intensity of a Premier League fixture, but it was still encouraging to see Isak fit enough to feature for his national team.
It was also a positive sign to see Isak in training with his new Liverpool teammates after international duty, giving him the chance to build early chemistry with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo and hopefully hit the ground running.
All this considered, Arne Slot faces a key decision on Isak’s minutes against Burnley. While every Premier League match demands maximum effort, Sunday’s opponent—likely bound for the bottom third of the table—could present the perfect chance to hand the Swede a gentle introduction to life in Red. Or, will Slot keep him on the bench, confident his side can win without rushing him in?
On one hand, Liverpool should do enough to win even without Isak at full sharpness if he starts, giving him the opportunity to readjust to Premier League action.
On the other, it feels harsh to bench Hugo Ekitike given his torrid early-season form. Since Ekitike is yet to play a full 90 minutes for Liverpool, bringing Isak on for him in the second half seems like a perfectly balanced solution.
Whatever Slot decides, Liverpool should perhaps count themselves fortunate to face Burnley straight after the international break rather than diving straight into the always-charged Merseyside Derby, giving the manager valuable time to gauge Isak’s readiness.
Either way, Sunday promises to be an exciting moment for fans who have long awaited the chance to see the Swede shine in Red.
2. Dominik Szoboszlai’s role on the pitch
Dominik Szoboszlai has enjoyed a dazzling start to the season with the Reds, and with reports that Jeremie Frimpong could be fit to feature against Burnley, Arne Slot faces another tricky decision on where's best to deploy his No. 8.
Szoboszlai, fresh off an assist for Hungary during the international break, has been excellent at right back while filling in for the injured Dutchman, both defensively and when he’s pushed higher up the pitch.
As with Isak’s situation, Slot may decide to give Frimpong extra time to recover ahead of the looming clash with Everton and Champions League meeting with Atletico, and allow Szobo to continue shining in the back four.
But, if Slot views Burnley as the perfect chance for Frimpong to reacclimate to Premier League action, he faces another tough decision: with Szoboszlai seemingly untouchable in the Starting XI, who makes way in midfield?
Florian Wirtz, given a sluggish start to the season? Ryan Gravenberch, since extra defensive cover might be less necessary against Burnley? Or Alexis Mac Allister, coming off one of his more underwhelming performances as a Red against Arsenal?
However Slot chooses to set his lineup, those left on the bench shouldn’t take it personally. It’s becoming clear the manager is navigating the champagne problem of having so much talent at his disposal.
With competitions like the Champions League and FA Cup looming, all of Liverpool’s playmakers will have ample opportunities to make an impact across a packed schedule.
3. Can the defense make it back-to-back solid outings?
Liverpool’s back line earned a much-needed clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Arsenal after conceding four goals across their first two games, and Sunday offers another chance to string together consecutive strong defensive performances.
While the Reds can’t take Burnley lightly—having scored two goals in each of their last two league matches—the Clarets simply lack the firepower of Liverpool’s other rivals.
Players like Jaidon Anthony and Lyle Foster have quality, but against Slot’s well-drilled defense, they'll likely struggle to create meaningful chances.
Beyond offering a chance to reinforce the confidence of the defensive unit as a whole, the match also provides an opportunity to build on gradually improving individual campaigns, with Ibrahima Konaté and Milos Kerkez taking important steps forward against Arsenal after a rocky start to the season.
Given that Ibou played the full 90 minutes in both of France’s wins over the international break–including a clean sheet against Ukraine–he appears to be working his way back to the excellent form he displayed last season, and a strong performance against Burnley could go a long way with a clash against the Toffees looming.
Additionally, if Liverpool can build a comfortable lead, Slot might see it as the perfect opportunity to give 18-year-old center back Giovanni Leoni his Premier League debut while allowing one of his defenders to rest early.
While I expect the Reds to put in a professional performance, a commanding win would go a long way as the season ramps up, and three points coupled with a clean sheet would provide exactly the momentum Liverpool need coming out of the break.