Liverpool would really benefit from wrapping up a win over Burnley nice and early. The Reds host the game later on today.
Liverpool will hope they can finally pick up a win against Burnley today. They haven’t won any of their last four in the league, failing to even score in the last three.
The latter has happened for 16 years and is a bizarre stat – Liverpool remain the Premier League’s top scorers. They’ve just lost their touch.
A win feels vital, then. Not only to end the poor form but to keep up with the now-leaders. Liverpool are six points behind Manchester United, with this game in hand.
But if Liverpool feel greedy, they want more than just a win. They’ll want to win early.
It could hand them a nice little trophy advantage later this week.
Trophy hunt
Should Liverpool prioritise the FA Cup? Absolutely not – but we’d still like to win it. We haven’t won it for 15 years, while it could be part of the first Double since 1986.
Sunday represents a tough task, though. United host Liverpool in the 4th Round and that likely makes them favourites.
United hold another advantage, though, as they played on Wednesday ahead of the game. Liverpool play a day later, allowing them less rest.
But Liverpool could turn that advantage around with a quick win over Burnley. By quick, we mean wrapping things up with plenty of time to go, rather than defending the edge of the box for the final 10.
United played right to the final whistle against Fulham, something that will cost their stars energy. Liverpool could, hopefully, do things quickly and preserve theirs.
We don’t expect Jurgen Klopp to field his strongest team in the cup, of course. But it will feature some stars – he has little choice, given injury problems.
Beating Burnley nice and early could help keep them fresh at a time when United’s won’t be. It’s the only way to earn a real advantage for this one, if Liverpool have any hopes of winning the FA Cup.
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