Burnley

Liverpool returned to the top of the table as they got back to winning ways against struggling Burnley in front of a club record league crowd at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's side were looking to respond after last weekend's defeat by Arsenal and took the lead through Diogo Jota's header from a corner, which Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford failed to claim.

The Clarets, who have been in the relegation zone for most of the season, levelled before half-time through Dara O'Shea's superb header before Luis Diaz restored the home side's lead in the 52nd minute.

Burnley had several chances to equalise before Darwin Nunez's header from Harvey Elliott's cross sealed the points.

On a tetchy afternoon, both Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany were booked by referee Tim Robinson for protesting after decisions went against their teams.

Liverpool were without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson because of illness, but stand-in Caoimhin Kelleher made a fine save to deny David Datro Fofana an equaliser when the score was 2-1.

Liverpool, watched by a new club record attendance of 59,896, had briefly been replaced by Manchester City at the top of the table following their 2-0 win over Everton in the early kick-off. But the Reds are two points clear - albeit having played one game more than their nearest rivals - while Burnley remain 19th.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Liverpool fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Burnley fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are seven games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool v Burnley

• Nottingham Forest v Newcastle

Chris Sutton is taking on Sexy Beast star Stephen Moyer for the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Sutton's prediction: 4-0

Liveprool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is out for a month, which is a blow for Jurgen Klopp's side but, even so, I still cannot make a case for a Burnley win - I've thought they were going to be relegated for a long time.

Liverpool cannot afford to slip up, and I don't think they will. They know what is at stake with Jurgen Klopp leaving at the end of the season.

I don't know if Darwin Nunez will be fit enough to start but even if he isn't I am expecting Liverpool to overwhelm Burnley.

Goalkeeper James Trafford did really well to keep the Clarets in the game at Turf Moor in December but Liverpool should wrap up the points a lot earlier, and much easier, this time.

Stephen's prediction: 3-0

I am a big fan of Vincent Kompany but this is a tough game for his Burnley side. I felt after watching Liverpool against Chelsea that Nunez is about to catch fire. They made some defensive mistakes against Arsenal but when their forward players are on form, it's hard to stop them.

See the full list of predictions

Image source, Getty Images

Vincent Kompany is looking forward to the challenge of facing the league leaders on Saturday as he takes Burnley to Liverpool.

The Clarets boss had many tasty battles with the Reds while he was Manchester City captain and he believes Jurgen Klopp's current side are almost on a par with their past great teams.

"If I compare the Liverpool teams I played against and the Liverpool team we're seeing now they are there or thereabouts again," Kompany said. "It's not to do with the results. It's how the team moves, the confidence they have when pressing on the front foot.

"The players are still getting integrated, [but you see] how quickly they have assimilated the ideas of the better Liverpool teams of recent times.

Kompany never tasted victory against Klopp as a player at Anfield but insists he is hopeful of finding success on Merseyside as a manager.

When asked about the impact of Klopp announcing his decision to depart at the end of the season, Kompany could not commit to an opinion.

"It happened to me a couple of times but it's different everywhere so it's difficult to say," he said. "I can't go and make any statements on how they're going to finish the season. We'll find out when we find out.

"But also it's not much my concern. I wish him and them, after our game, as much good fortune as they need."

Commentary of Liverpool v Burnley on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Liverpool and Burnley in the Premier League.

• Liverpool have won eight of their past 10 Premier League games against Burnley, winning each of their past four in a row by an aggregate score of 8-0.

• Burnley have won none of their 11 Premier League games against sides starting the day at the top of the table (D5 L6). Meanwhile, Liverpool are unbeaten in six against sides in the relegation zone.

• Defeat at Arsenal ended the Reds' 15-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. However, they remain undefeated in 23 home league matches since a 2-1 loss to Leeds United in October 2022.

• The Clarets have scored a league-high 29% of their Premier League goals from outside the box this season (seven out of 24). However, no side has conceded fewer from distance so far this term than Liverpool (1 goals).

• Darwin Nunez has had more shots than any other Premier League player so far this season (73), while only teammate Mohamed Salah (33) has had more attempts on target than the Uruguay striker (32).

• James Trafford has made more successful passes than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. His 1,067 passes in total is also the most of any Burnley player this term.

Listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Frank asked: Teams like Wolves who play without a number nine are doing very well. Are old fashioned strikers needed anymore? Has the game changed?

Michael replied: The game has changed. I think we've seen a different type of striker.

But look at Liverpool and Arsenal for example, people mention they still need a number nine, so people are saying it, but we're not necessarily seeing those old-fashioned nines.

Manchester City did so well with the false nine, but then Erling Haaland came in and scored 50 goals. They still needed him and they still wanted a number nine, but it depends on your playing style.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Russell asked: The January transfer window was very quiet compared to recent years, probably due to Financial Fair Play and points deduction worries. Do you think the days of teams spending hundreds of millions each window are over? And if so, what long-term effects might that have on the Premier League?

Michael replied: I think we are going to see different spreads of spending. We're not going to see hundreds of millions in the January window because people will be more conscious of spreading those payments and their budget will already be in place.

They will probably do a lot more of it before the season, so I think we are going to see less of the the excitement of the January window because of quite obvious reasons.

The business will be done in the summer and clubs will say ‘this is what we've got'. They might have to send others on the way out first, rather than just spending that money and getting rid of players later.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Vincent Kompany has spoken to the media before Burnley's match against Liverpool on Saturday.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• Kompany spoke about building on the weekend's draw with Fulham: "I hope the lads believe that they can score goals and be a good team when they put their minds to it. At the moment it's a results issue; in many games we've shown the same signs as we did against Fulham but it's a case of turning these moments into results."

• On team selection, Kompany said he is hopeful on Hannes Delcroix and Charlie Taylor returning for Saturday's match.

• On whether there is faith at Turf Moor about avoiding relegation: "Belief is always there. The starting ingredient of everything is always belief. That was there at the time [Championship]. That’s there right now. That’s still going to be there, always. On the side of belief, you need to have good doses of hard work. These ingredients are there - it’s nothing about the basics."

• Kompany is adamant that the tough campaign so far hasn't affected him: "I've not lost a single bit of motivation, I've not lost clarity about the situation, I've not lost the sense of responsibility of belief. It's not affected me or my happiness of doing the job but it just focuses you even more."

• He insisted the Clarets are working on both defensive and offensive set pieces: "It's not for a lack of ideas or time training - it's about skill. We've had many chances from set plays. We're one of the most positive teams in terms of chance creation from set plays but putting it in the back of the net is the skill."

• On his first game as a manager against Jurgen Klopp at Anfield: "It's been one of the privileges of being in the league, facing the great managers. It's something I look forward to. I've been against his teams for most of his 20 years as manager, it started in Germany when I was playing for Hamburg. Who he is as a person has lived in every team he's coached and that's something that I've seen for 20 years."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences

Natalie Bromley, No Nay Never podcast, external

The benefit of a January transfer window, in my eyes anyway, is twofold. First, you need cover for long-term injuries. Secondly, you make improvements.

We didn’t get the left-back we really needed, but when Burnley did bring in a striker, a centre-back and a right-back, we could genuinely say we’d improved the squad depth.

And how that become obvious on Saturday. Until all three new signings were on the pitch together, the Clarets looked a side devoid of confidence and fight, and with no idea what to do.

I hate to be critical, but sometimes you can’t avoid the painful truth. The first-half display against Fulham was one of the most appalling we’ve seen in a long time.

I never boo my team, but I understood the frustration and the chorus that resonated around Turf Moor at half-time. Fans couldn’t work out why the team had been set up as it had or what the plan was. And it seems the players couldn't either, given the serious lack of any leadership.

We got something out of the game in the end, albeit some fans noted it merely painted over some cracks and enabled Vincent Kompany to avoid some hard questions. I don’t believe that’s true - he’s got a winning mentality and knows what’s going wrong - but communication could be improved between manager and supporters.

A point is probably unhelpful in the grand scheme of this season, but fans want to see their team go down with a fight. And we just about saw that for a few glorious minutes.

Ultimately, though, the end of this season probably can’t come quickly enough.

Michael Brown
BBC Sport pundit

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown will be answering your questions, giving his insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former Premier League midfielder?

How the season rates so far? Who has been your best player? What does the manager's future hold?

Let us know what you want answered by sending in your questions here

Image source, Getty Images

Tom Gayle, BBC Final Score at Turf Moor

For 60 minutes Fulham looked more than good value for their first win away at Burnley since 1951. However, the introduction of David Datro Fofana saw a huge momentum shift in the game.

Lyle Foster and Zeki Amdouni seem most comfortable in the number 10 role, getting on the ball inside the pocket and driving at defences. Fofana is more of an old school striker. For both of his goals on Saturday the Ivorian's preference appeared to simply be getting himself into the box, and becoming a target for his team-mates to find.

Not only was the 2-2 draw the first time this season the Clarets have picked up a point from a losing position, it was also the first time, for both goals, where the assist has come from a cross. Vincent Kompany has been very dogmatic with his approach to Burnley's playing style. There is a clear emphasis on possession, and trying to control games with their passing and patient build-up.

Now however, he has a striker well suited to a more direct approach. It may be too little too late, but if they want to increase any hope of remaining in the division, they need to place more emphasis on 'putting it in the mixer'.

David Datro Fofana's late double to secure a 2-2 home draw with Fulham on Saturday may have avoided the situation looking even bleaker, but the numbers still reveal what an uphill battle Burnley face to survive in the Premier League this season.

After 23 games, the Clarets have just 13 points - the lowest total a team has ever had at this stage and survived relegation in the Premier League.

This was achieved by Bryan Robson’s West Brom side 19 years ago in 2004-05 - their 'great escape' season.

The 34 points West Brom eventually stayed up with is also the lowest ever tally by a surviving side, so even replicating that total is unlikely to be enough for Vincent Kompany's team.

With their next two games away to Liverpool and at home to Arsenal, the landscape heading into March could be one of further despair.

Potential points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest offer the possibility of a lifeline, but wins are needed soon to avoid being cut completely adrift regardless.

Clarets fans, let us know what needs to change to give you a chance of survival

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Burnley and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments

Burnley fans

Peter: A very poor performance. Gave the ball away too many times. Team selection was puzzling - why wasn't Fofana on from the start? We are clearly going down but my worry is some of the players may not be good enough for the Championship. Lack of pace at the back is a worry.

Francis: Very lucky. Second best in every department. We have no leaders or strong characters. Good debuts for three new players. Vitinho was a second-choice full back in Championship and out of his depth. Kompany needs to keep a settled side. We are as good as relegated now but go down fighting with a view on next season. Kompany was lucky today given his poor choices.

Ian: This may be the turning point of the season for Burnley. The three new loan players made an immediate impact. If we can finally work out how to defend corners then with Foster and Fofana up front we can pick up at least 20 more points which might just prove to be enough.

Fulham fans

Graham: Fulham were OK until the subs came on. They need to play for 98 minutes and not stop playing at 90 minutes. Goalkeeper was totally at fault for Burnley’s first goal, he is too eager to come off his line. Had he stayed he would have an easy save.

David: Fulham could've won the game 10 times over. The fact that they allowed Burnley a draw was almost criminal, especially with two poor goals conceded. It was a combination of failing to finish Burnley off while so dominant and poor tactics/substitutions from Silva that allowed Burnley a foothold which they grabbed.

Giles: Boys look out of legs. Blame the owners for not buying in new players. Broja not good enough, what about Brereton Diaz? Did he really prefer Sheffield United over us? To let a two-goal lead slide against Burnley is criminal.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League matches.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle United v Luton Town

• Sheffield United v Aston Villa

• Fulham have won just one of their past seven Premier League games (D2 L4), while they’re winless on the road in 11 games since beating Everton 1-0 in August.

• Burnley (10) are just the second Premier League side this season to concede at least 10 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) after Nottingham Forest (12).

• This is the first time Fulham have failed to win a Premier League game when leading by at least two goals since September 2018 against Brighton (2-2), while this is the first time Burnley have avoided defeat when trailing by at least two goals since drawing 2-2 with Manchester City in December 2014, losing their previous 76 such games before today.

• David Datro Fofana has been involved in three goals in his two Premier League appearances for Burnley (2 goals, 1 assist), while he’s just the fourth player to score a brace as a substitute for them after David Nugent (September 2009), Chris Wood (March 2018) and Ashley Barnes (September 2018).

• João Palhinha has scored as many Premier League goals this season for Fulham (3) as he did last season (3), while four of his six goals have come from corners.

Emma Smith, BBC Sport

While most teams had a quiet January, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany was busy dipping into the loan market.

His winter shopping could prove crucial in giving the Clarets a fighting chance of producing one of the Premier League's greatest escapes.

David Datro Fofana has hit the ground running following his loan from Chelsea, an assist on debut followed by a brace here.

His first goal was assisted by full back Lorenz Assignon, who was lively in both defence and attack following his deadline day arrival from Rennes.

At half-time, Montpellier loanee Mazime Esteve was introdcued at centre-back and provided much greater assuredness to the Burnley back line.

There is a huge amount of work still needed for Burnley to survive this season - but they now have a lot more useful tools to work with.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The two goals we conceded, that's not something we can be happy about. The second half we had a go, it was exciting, and a great contribution from the new boys.

"We conceded from a set piece and our own throw-in. But the biggest thing for us is to keep together."

On the performances of their new signings: "It was all round positive from the players we recruited. [Lorenz] Assignon against Willian played really well, and [David] Fofana with his intensity gave us something different."

On their fight against relegation: "The fans are brilliant, they have stuck behind us. There is fight in this team, we are going to carry on. 15 games left, we'll go full steam ahead."

David Datro Fofana scored twice on his home debut as Burnley came from 2-0 down to draw with Fulham at Turf Moor.

The Clarets looked set for a 10th home league defeat of the season as two first-half goals put Fulham in complete control.

Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz scored in quick succession before the break, but Chelsea loanee Datro Fofana changed the game after being introduced as a second-half substitute.

The draw earned Burnley only a fifth home league point of the season and they remain in the relegation zone, seven points from safety, while Fulham have moved up to 12th.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Burnley fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Fulham fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are five games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle v Luton

• Sheff Utd v Aston Villa