Burnley

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

A question I have asked myself numerous times over the years I have supported Burnley is: is grit enough?

Burnley's defenders played out of their skins against Liverpool on Sunday. Blocking every shot. Never once losing their formation. Not one of them lapsing in concentration. Scott Parker's tactics drilled into them with such precision that they hardly blinked.

And it worked. It worked so, so well. Liverpool could not find a way through. Burnley's determination and sublime defensive resilience looked nailed on to be rewarded with a very well-earned point, played out to the soundtrack of "Steeeeeeve" ringing through the Turf Moor crowd.

Then, an opportunity. Liverpool, on a desperate attack, spot a chance to kick the ball at the arms of Hannibal. Penalty in stoppage time. For the second time in as many weeks, Burnley are denied the point their performance truly deserved.

It is natural to think "what's the point", to consider going for it and at least trying to open up the pitch and attack.

But I think that would be a mistake. Play that way and the inevitable result is a 5-0 hammering and a dressing room lacking confidence and belief.

We saw it during Vincent Kompany's disastrous campaign two years ago. This team looks different, yet so very familiar: Scott Parker's warriors, served with just a pinch of the Sean Dyche era.

It is the performances, not the results, that will matter this season, and if the Clarets put in more performances like they did against Liverpool, they might just find themselves in that golden 17th spot.

Something special is brewing in east Lancashire...

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Steven Wyeth
Match of the Day commentator

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot began his interview for Match of the Day with "compliments to Burnley for how they've played", a magnanimous and entirely more appropriate assessment than some of the subsequent online discourse about 'negative tactics'.

Up against one of the most talented and expensively assembled squads in football, Scott Parker was within his rights to conjure a game plan to first survive and then hope to thrive.

The preparation, organisation and concentration required to defend a penalty area as Burnley did deserves admiration, not scorn, no-less noble type of skill to those Liverpool have at their disposal.

The Clarets were two stoppage-time minutes and one frazzled misjudgement away from executing the plan perfectly.

Burnley tried the expansive, aesthetically pleasing approach on their previous visit to the Premier League and were relegated. They are entitled to do things differently in the quest to stay up this time.

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League between Burnley and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Ian: Scott Parker deserves immense credit for the way he set Burnley up and the players followed the instructions superbly. We were entitled to a point but, hey, that's football and sometimes it can be so cruel. I am hopeful we will have enough to stay in this league.

Neil: Battled well, deserved a point. It's now two games on the bounce where we have shot ourselves in the foot. Our survival will not be based on this game but on teams around us. That's when we need to be getting the late winners.

Andy: The players gave 100% and earned a point by some great defending. But alas, football is cruel and for the second game running Burnley concede a needless penalty in injury time.

William: To Scott Parker, if you play the way you did, you got what you deserved - nothing. Absolutely awful display by a team that used to be such a nice team to watch.

Martin: When will the heartbreak end. I hate the Prem.

Liverpool fans

Jim: Not playing well but picking up points. New players adapting and the death of our beloved Diogo Jota has caused a drop in the team's form. It is a worry but I'm hoping Florian Writz, Mo Salah and Alexander Isak will hit form soon and we start obliterating teams. Only time will tell. YNWA.

Stuart: Cannot fault the effort but lacking quality again. Need Milos Kerkez out wide putting in crosses. Rio Ngumoha should be trusted to come on earlier. He created best chance of game within minutes. Squad lacks depth.

Sean: As we have come to expect; opposition is very happy to draw and Park(er)s the bus. What's worse is Liverpool struggle to break through it, which is why Wirtz was brought in. Liverpool had three full-backs and four wingers on at one point - they should be creating open goals.

Jamal: Against a team like Burnley (bus parking) it doesn't matter how they got the victory. I hate teams playing at home with 10 men behind the ball.

Pete: It was a decent enough performance and what was to be expected. Burnley were compact and well drilled and would have been happy with a point. The red card should have been shown in the first half and was better late than never. When we click, this Liverpool team will be an absolute joy to watch for us Reds.

Pundits Theo Walcott and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Burnley 0-1 Liverpool

• Man City 3-0 Man Utd

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Scott Parker's most painful brush with Liverpool ended in a 9-0 defeat at Anfield when he was Bournemouth manager in August 2022, resulting in his sacking days later.

This was almost complete redemption for Parker, as his Burnley side defended magnificently and with superb organisation until Hannibal's reckless moment undermined the efforts.

Parker was the picture of agony in his technical area, as he was at Old Trafford when Bruno Fernandes' injury-time penalty allowed Manchester United to snatch victory in Burnley's previous league game.

Parker can take huge encouragement from both performances, however, as Burnley kept Liverpool at arm's length until tired legs and tired minds took over in the closing stages.

Kyle Walker showed why his vast experience will be vital to their fight to stay in the Premier League and Maxime Esteve was superb in central defence.

Parker and his players will feel bitter pain – but when that subsides there can also be pride.

Burnley boss Scott Parker spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's late defeat by Liverpool: "Tough, really tough. I am gutted for the players, that is the main thing. We took the game to the 93rd minute and a penalty has decided it.

"Immensely proud of the group, what we needed to do today and how we set up.

"The boys took everything on board and I am just gutted for them it was decided by a penalty.

"I don't put it as a mistake [for the penalty]. The ball is coming from three yards away at a ridiculous speed. Maybe the learning from it is that we coach defenders to put their hands behind their back, which is not ideal.

"This is a young team, a new team. Today at times we had to survive. We had to dig and go to places not many humans go to. It would be easy to tap out, my team did not tap out."

Speaking to Sky Sports about Hannibal Mejbri, Parker added: "I have been in the arena, I know how quick things move. His body action was turning and his arm has gone out. The ball is probably coming at 80mph and it has hit it. The only learning for Hannibal is that we will have to train with hands behind the back.

"My team today epitomised spirit."

Did you know?

• Parker's team suffered defeat in a league game at Turf Moor for the first time since their final game of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, ending their unbeaten run of 24 home matches (W15 D9).

• Burnley are the first team in Premier League history to lose back-to-back games after conceding a penalty goal in the 90th minute or later in both defeats.

• Since the start of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, no side have received more red cards in the competition than Burnley (8 – level with Arsenal and Liverpool), despite the Clarets spending the past season in the Championship.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Burnley's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There's two changes for Burnley from the team who lost to Manchester United before the international break, as Loum Tchaouna and Josh Laurent both come into the starting XI.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Hartman, Esteve, Ugochukwu, Foster, Anthony, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Cullen, Laurent.

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Edwards, Humphreys, Florentino, Flemming, Pires, Broja, Hannibal.

Liverpool, meanwhile are unchanged from the win against Arsenal.

Jeremie Frimpong returns from injury and is on the bench but record signing Alexander Isak is not involved at all.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Gravenberch.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Bradley, Chiesa, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Ngumoha.

There are two games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Burnley v Liverpool (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Man Utd (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times BST

Follow and listen to Burnley v Liverpool here

And Man City v Man Utd is here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester City v Manchester United".

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

The big question is will Alexander Isak start this game now he is finally a Liverpool player? I will answer that straightaway - no, so don't get him in your fantasy teams just yet.

Isak will be brought off the bench for his Reds debut at some point, but I don't think it will be a case where Liverpool will need him to change the game.

Burnley will be looking to keep them quiet and also carry a threat. They gave Manchester United a good game last time out, but stopping Liverpool is a much bigger test.

Arne Slot's side have not really got going yet this season, but they are still top and have won three out of three league games.

That is a great sign for them, and ominous for their rivals - I always felt when I was a player that if we won without playing well, you knew there is more to come.

It is the same with Liverpool at the moment.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Champions Liverpool will aim to continue their perfect start to the new campaign as they travel to Burnley. BBC Sport explores some of the talking points around this fixture.

If Burnley are to survive this season then home form is likely to be a key reason.

Scott Parker's side were unbeaten at Turf Moor last term and their two victories so far this season have both come on home soil – 2-0 in the league against Sunderland and 2-1 in the League Cup versus Derby.

It has been more than 15 months since they last tasted defeat at their Lancastrian stronghold and only Birmingham City are enjoying a longer unbeaten home run in England's top four tiers.

This game represents something of a free hit for Burnley, who have lost 10 of their past 11 games when facing defending Premier League champions. However, the exception in that run was a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in January 2021 at Anfield. Current player Ashley Barnes scored a penalty that day to end Liverpool's own unbeaten home streak of 68 games.

Turf Moor is not somewhere Liverpool usually struggle. They have won eight of their nine Premier League matches at Burnley, including the past six in a row. The champions will expect to extend that run to reach seven come Sunday evening as they look to maintain their perfect start.

All eyes will be on Alexander Isak after his £125m move to the Reds on transfer deadline day. However, the Swede has played just 18 minutes of football over the past three and a half months and is unlikely to start this weekend.

While Liverpool will want Isak up to speed quickly, they have hardly struggled to find the net prior to his arrival. Arne Slot's side have scored in a club record 37 consecutive top-flight matches since a 1-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest a year ago – the third-best run in Premier League history.

Listen to Burnley v Liverpool on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday

You can also listen to 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Liverpool".

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Journalist

Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Turf Moor (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Parker confirmed all of his players have come back fit and healthy from the international break.

• He says new signing Florentino Luis is a player he has wanted to sign since his days as Fulham manager, adding: "We have signed a very good player who has real attributes for the Premier League. He brings quality, experience and I think he could be a big addition for us. He has always been a menace when we have played against him."

• Coming out of the transfer window, Parker wishes his squad was a bit more trimmed: "We still have a big squad and we have to manage that - it is what it is. We have very good competition, it is a long season and we will need every bit of this squad. Competition is vital for a professional athlete."

• He says the preparation to play a top team like Liverpool isn't much different to other teams, adding: "There is work that goes into every plan which starts really early in the week. You try to identify and express areas to the players. No doubt Liverpool can cause you more problems, and there is a few more things you need to be aware of, but the tactical work stays very consistent."

• On the challenge of facing the champions, Parker said: "We will try and keep it going. All I ask of this group is that we embrace this weekend, give the best version of ourselves - we show fight, quality, bravery and control in certain moments. We need to have unbelievable courage. You can win and lose matches, but if my group give me that I will be more than happy."

Follow all of Saturday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Burnley v Liverpool on BBC Radio 5 Live at 14:00 on Sunday

Also listen on BBC Radio Lancashire from 13:45 on Sunday (95.5FM, 103.9FM, 104.5FM) or on BBC Sounds

You can also listen to 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play the Burnley game".

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.

Premier League sides Brentford, Wolves and West Ham and Championship club Leicester were all keen on the 29-year-old, who scored 18 goals last season as Burnley secured promotion back to the top flight.

The midfielder left at the end of the campaign after five years at Turf Moor, making 211 appearances in total and scoring 32 goals overall.

He will join Belgium international Yannick Carrasco and former Southampton and Watford defender Wesley Hoedt at Al-Shabab.

The club, managed by former Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil, lost their opening game of the Saudi Pro League 4-1 to Al-Khaleej.

"I feel really honoured to join Al-Shabab," Brownhill said.

"The way the manager plays - formation, system and the vision that they see - is what really attracted me.

"I'm hoping to score a lot of goals and we'll be aiming to win some trophies this season."

English midfielder Josh Brownhill, 29, has completed a medical at Al-Shabab and is set to join the Saudi club on a free transfer having left Burnley at the end of last season. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Joao Mendes, son of Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho, is leaving Burnley with the 20-year-old winger set to join Hull City's under-21s set-up. (Hull Daily Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Now that the dust has settled on Burnley's contentious meeting at Old Trafford, there is much to be positive about.

The Clarets more than matched Manchester United in the second half of that game. They scored three legitimate goals. They had United's talisman dragging himself (and a foul) into the penalty box in a desperate attempt to avoid the embarrassment of drawing at home to a newly promoted side.

But for the utter shambles that is VAR, that game would have likely finished 3-3 and Burnley would have been sitting on a healthy four-point return from a tricky opening three fixtures.

The caveat to this positivity is that we are starting games slowly and sloppily, especially away from home. United could, in truth, have been much further ahead by half-time if they weren't struggling themselves. But we're showing something we failed to do in the whole of Kompany's campaign: we're competitive and mentally strong. Scott Parker is exceptionally good at breeding that culture.

He's also tantalisingly articulate, calmly pointing out to the watching world that we've lost the game we love to the quest for technical perfection. His post-match interview was damning in its precision: we don't celebrate goals any more, the joy and soul have been sucked out of the game.

This weekend is a free hit - a home tie against the champions - and one where Parker may well think about giving his young players the freedom to just enjoy the occasion and try something new. There's a highly strong chance we get beaten anyway, and whilst Burnley aren't here just to make up numbers and enjoy the tourism of the Premier League, there's an argument to allow these players to just revel in the company they've earned the right to play in.

I wrote last week about my satisfaction with the transfer business we conducted. If we get the likes of Armando Broja and Florentino Luis fit and in the starting 11, you may just find a little club from east Lancashire elbowing its way into 17th and above. After this weekend…

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill is posed to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.

The midfielder is due to sign a two-year deal having left the Clarets at the end of last season.

He will join Belgium international Yannick Carrasco and former Southampton and Watford defender Wesley Hoedt at the club.

Al-Shabab, managed by former Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil, lost their opening game of the Saudi Pro League 4-1 to Al-Khaleej.

Brentford, Wolves, Leicester and West Ham were all keen on the 29-year-old, but he has opted to move to Saudi having been impressed by the club's project.

He spent five years at Turf Moor, making 211 appearances and scoring 32 goals. He netted 18 times last season as Burnley finished second in the Championship to return to the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

The dust has just about settled on a busy transfer window for Burnley.

In total, the Clarets brought in 13 players for a total of about £96.5m based on reported initial fees.

Those incomings were:

• Lesley Ugochukwu - Chelsea (permanent)

• Loum Tchaouna - Lazio (permanent)

• Bashir Humphreys - Chelsea (permanent)

• Armando Broja - Chelsea (permanent)

• Marcus Edwards - Sporting (permanent)

• Quilindschy Hartman - Feyenoord (permanent)

• Jaidon Anthony - Bournemouth (permanent)

• Zian Flemming - Millwall (permanent)

• Max Weiss - Karlsruher (permanent)

• Jacob Bruun Larsen - Stuttgart (permanent)

• Kyle Walker - Manchester City (permanent)

• Martin Dubravka - Newcastle United (permanent)

• Axel Tuanzebe - Ipswich (free)

Heading the other way, Burnley had 11 notable outgoings.

These included the permanent exit of James Trafford to Manchester City, free transfer of CJ Egan-Riley to Marseille and releasing of captain Josh Brownhill.

Of all the summer incomings at Turf Moor, who do you think will have the biggest impact?

Rank them here

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have quietly had a remarkable transfer window.

We have acquired an experienced Premier League defender in Kyle Walker and goalkeeper in Martin Dubravka. We have added some midfield class in Lesley Ugochukwu and Florentino Luis. And our strike force has been boosted by the arrival of Armando Broja.

Burnley have Champions League calibre in their starting XI. And that is before you even start on the talents of Quilindschy Hartman, Loum Tchaonuna, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Alex Tuanzebe.

We have spent money I didn't ever think I would see us spending, which, of course, we also did two years ago when Vincent Kompany had a go at this. But it all feels so different this time around. The scattergun approach isn't there. The signings make sense and feel right. And we have maintained the heart of the side that got us up last year.

Burnley are learning and they are not just here to make up the numbers.

My instinct is to say we still feel light up front - we're putting a lot of faith in Broja getting fit and staying fit - but Lyle Foster has once again shown he can fit into this league and for a side that was expected to be goal-shy this season, we have scored four in two - two of which came away from home at Old Trafford (which was technically three goals, but don't get me started on VAR...).

The most pleasing thing is that Burnley have signed players they can recover money on in the event relegation happens again. That is so important to our continued survival as a commercial enterprise.

We have a squad full of assets. Well done, Alan Pace. 9/10.

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