Liverpool are on an 11-game unbeaten run and host 19th-placed Burnley in the Premier League; a win is a non-negotiable in the battle for the Champions League places.
Liverpool vs. Burnley
Premier League (22) | Anfield
January 17, 2026 | 3pm (GMT)
Arne Slot‘s side put a convincing score past Barnsley earlier in the week to progress in the FA Cup, though the performance continued to have some of the same concerning markers.
Burnley will arrive as a stubborn opponent and it is Liverpool’s job to show that time on the training pitch is paying off. Here’s all you need to know.
1. No new injuries for Liverpool
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alisson, Milos Kerkez and Wataru Endo were the only senior players who did not feature against Barnsley, with Slot otherwise relying on his regular starters against the League One side.
Thankfully, no new injuries were reported by Slot on the eve of the match, meaning only the long-term absentees remain sidelined after Wataru Endo and Hugo Ekitike returned on Monday.
“We’ve got a few injuries; Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are out for the season, and Alexander Isak is out for multiple months. But for the rest, I think everyone else is available,” Slot said.
Good news, at least!
2. Burnley without a league win in 12 matches
Millwall (H) W 5-1
Man United (H) D 2-2
Brighton (A) L 0-2
Newcastle (H) L 1-3
Everton (H) D 0-0
Bournemouth (A) D 1-1
Scott Parker has not overseen a win for his side since October 26, when they notched a 3-2 victory over fellow relegation battlers Wolves.
During their 12-game winless run in the Premier League, they have scored 10 goals and conceded 24, cementing them in 19th place.
The Clarets have also had little luck on the road throughout the campaign, winning and drawing just once while losing the other eight.
No game in the Premier League is a guarantee, but Liverpool cannot make this fixture as hard as their trip to Turf Moor, when a late penalty was needed for the three points.
Possible Burnley XI: Dubravka; Laurent, Esteve, Humphreys; Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Pires; Bruun Larsen, Anthony; Broja
3. Mo Salah NOT available vs. Burnley
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Although Mo Salah lost in the semi-finals, he is still at the Africa Cup of Nations as he awaits Egypt’s third-place playoff on Saturday.
This means he will not be back for Burnley‘s visit and instead will return to Merseyside early next week, with a decision then to be made whether he is included against Marseille.
“We’re in talks with him, what is expected of him over there, what we expect over here,” Slot told reporters on Friday.
“But first of all he needs to have an important game on Saturday and next week he’ll be back with us.”
4. Liverpool Predicted XI
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates with team-mate Florian Wirtz (L), who gave the assist, after scoring his side's fourth goal during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There will be quite a few faces who return to the starting XI, including Alisson, Ibrahima Konate, Kerkez, Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz.
Ekitike could also join them after playing 30 minutes on his injury return, which finished with a goal and assist, though another start from the bench would not be surprising.
If he was included, this could come at the expense of Cody Gakpo, who was moved across the forward line on Monday and did not contribute a goal or an assist.
Frimpong is the clear choice to start at right-back, though this would put Dominik Szoboszlai on the right wing, while Milos Kerkez would be replacing Andy Robertson on the left.
Predicted LFC XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Jones, Wirtz; Ekitike
5. Did you know?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to seeing his header go wide during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool have won six of their 10 home league games this season, but they have yet to win any by a margin of more than two goals – and that is also the case away from home.
Never in the club’s history have they failed to win at least one game in a league season by three or more goals.
It is quite astonishing!
The 4-1 win over Barnsley was only the second time the Reds had managed a victory by three or more goals since they clinched the title against Tottenham in April, with Frankfurt the only other time.
6. Arne Slot: “Everyone aligned” on January transfer window
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Slot was asked if the club’s plans this winter had changed after Bradley’s injury, to which he expressed that “everyone is aligned” over Liverpool’s needs:
“I think everyone is aligned about the challenges we are facing.
“That’s not to say that we’re going to act, but everyone is aligned on what we are facing.
“There is no one that has a different opinion about it. But that’s not to say that anything is going to happen.”
It would be wise for Liverpool to make a move!
7. Burnley guilty of pressing the self-destruct button
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 14, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai has his shot blocked by Burnley's Maxime Estève during the FA Premier League match between Burnley FC and Liverpool FC at Turf Moor. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Burnley are eight points below Nottingham Forest in 17th, but they could have made their return to the Premier League a little smoother if they were not their own worst enemy.
We talked to Burnley season ticket holder Reece Foulds to preview the match, with a glimpse into their woes so far:
“A negative is our unfortunate self-destruct mechanism in games.
“There have been many matches this season where we’ve had a result in reach and then just switched off.
“The Premier League is ruthless and we’ve been punished for it, with a prime example being Brentford away, conceding one minute after getting an equaliser.”
8. Anfield queues continue – keep that in mind
Queues outside Anfield for fans waiting to get through the turnstiles remains an issue amid the club’s security checks, with supporters urged to arrive 10 minutes earlier than normal.
If you are headed to the match, the issue is worth keeping in mind – not that it should have to be – but keep an eye on the turnstiles to try and avoid missing kick off!
9. Referee: Andy Madley
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 22, 2021: Referee Andy Madley during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andy Madley is the referee in charge at Anfield, and his last Anfield appearance ended in a 3-0 win for Nottingham Forest in November – we can’t do that again!
Although Burnley have won eight and lost only one of their 11 games that Madley has overseen…
He will be assisted by Lee Betts and Marc Perry on the touchline, while Adam Herczeg will act as the fourth official.
In the VAR booth is Michael Salisbury, who is assisted by Dan Robatha.
10. How you can follow Liverpool vs. Burnley
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: A general view of Anfield seen from the television gantry before the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. Camera TV (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool vs. Burnley will not be live on UK television due to the 3pm blackout rule. If you are overseas, you will have no such trouble watching live!
We will have full TV and online streams information for you just over two hours before kickoff, so check back in then.
This Is Anfield will have you covered with our matchday live blog, with Harry McMullen at the helm from 2.15pm to keep you informed and entertained.
Up the Reds!