Burnley

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Burnley have the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League after conceding 50 goals so far this season. Only Sheffield United have leaked more goals than the Clarets.

Before Saturday's game with title-chasing Arsenal, boss Vincent Kompany said his side "have had to go through tough times", particularly at Turf Moor on their return to the top flight.

It is some contrast to last season where they romped to the Championship title on the back of just one defeat all campaign at home.

"Plenty of good games to look back on, plenty of good performances but in the end we cannot feel sorry for ourselves," said Kompany.

"Last year was one massive party, every home game, and this year we have had to go through tough times but it hasn't come from the lack of desire to make it [Turf Moor] a fortress."

Arsenal will travel north full of confidence after thrashing West Ham 6-0 in their most recent game last Sunday.

However, Kompany is not focused on the past but instead will plot improvements on the pitch against the Gunners.

"We can't go back and feel sorry for ourselves," he said. "We have played good games, and not won, but we've got to win and I'm not just speaking about Arsenal specifically.

"I find it tough sometimes on the lads because I see the work they put in and the integrity of the job. They really try and don't always get punished in the most obvious ways.

"It's been a number of issues with how we've conceded goals but, tomorrow is a new beginning so everything that has happened beforehand, don't let it define us in the future.

"You have to focus on these types of games because they have players who can make the difference, so we have to be ready to over achieve. It's a mindset you create before the game."

The key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Burnley and Arsenal in the Premier League.

• Burnley have won just one of their 17 Premier League games against Arsenal (D4 L12), with that win coming at the Emirates Stadium in December 2020.

• Arsenal are one of only two sides with a 100% Premier League record in 2024 so far, winning all four games and scoring 16 goals. It’s only the second time they’ve won their first four league games in a year, also doing so in 1935; they’ve never won their opening five league games in a calendar year.

• Burnley have scored just nine goals in their 17 Premier League games against Arsenal, and never more than once in a match. It’s the most one side has faced another in the competition without ever netting multiple goals.

• Arsenal’s 6-0 away win at West Ham was their biggest away league win since December 1935 (7-1 at Aston Villa), and was the second time they’d scored 5+ goals in a game in 2024 (also 5-0 vs Crystal Palace), as many times as they did so in the Premier League in 2023 overall (twice in 42 games). They haven’t done so in three games in one year since 2018 (three times).

• Burnley have shipped 50 Premier League goals this season in just 24 matches, conceding their 50th in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool. It is the earliest into a league season they’ve shipped 50 goals since 1932-33 (23rd game, second tier) and earliest in the top-flight since 1929-30 (24th game).

• Only Bruno Fernandes (70) has created more chances in the Premier League this season than Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard (61 each). In his career, Ødegaard is creating a chance every 37 minutes for his Gunners teammates in the competition; since 2003-04 (min. 90 mins), the only two Arsenal players with a better mins-per-chance created ratio are Mesut Özil (every 27 mins) and Cesc Fàbregas (every 32 mins).

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• Kompany said Lyle Foster and Jordan Beyer will not be available for Saturday's game. However, Charlie Taylor could return depending on how the rest of the week goes.

• He has accepted his touchline ban for this weekend's game but does not understand it: "I've given up on trying to figure it out. You get a punishment, you take it and in the end I'm too focussed on the team and the collective. I can't dwell on it too much and move on."

• On his side's defensive issues: "I find it tough because I see the work they put in, They really try and they don't always get punished in the most obvious ways. I have to say to them that tomorrow is a new beginning."

• He has high hopes for January loan signing David Datro Fofana: "David is someone who will grow on the fans quite quickly and I think he's quite difficult to play against. He's quite unpredictable. We'll need him until the end of the season."

• On high-flying opponents Arsenal: "They're a top team. You need a few things to go your way and [some] exceptional performances. These teams have always got tools to hurt you and we have to make the most of our moments."

• He has great respect for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta: "[He's] Passionate. I liked how he handled his first season with Arsenal and the complexities with that. He was working with a very young group and gradually growing and improving his team. He showed resilience and clarity."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences

Live commentary of Burnley v Arsenal from 15:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Superman's Achilles' heel: Kryptonite

Burnley: Set pieces.

I have lost count of the number of goals we have conceded this season because of our inability to defend a corner.

If it is not the keeper flapping and missing, it is his defence leaving him woefully exposed.

We have no physical presence at all and nobody is confident enough to take the initiative and defend with strength. It is such a massive shift away from what we have seen over the past decade, where we literally saw Ben Mee put his face on the goalline to prevent a goal.

That, coupled with our insistence on playing a painfully dangerous high press, just makes us look embarrassingly naive. We are not Manchester City - stop trying to play like we are.

For all of the exciting, attacking football Vincent Kompany wants to play, it means absolutely nothing and will not bring long-term success to the club in the top flight unless he learns to adapt defensively.

It is why we are at the bottom of the league. Nobody is talking about what amazing potential we have in that squad. They are talking about how bad we are in defence. If, indeed, we are being talked about at all. We spend so little time in any of the games we play, people are almost forgetting we are still here.

This is frustration talking, of course it is, and we still back our team and Kompany wholeheartedly.

But in the space of just 12 months, we have witnessed our incredible Championship-winning team ripped apart and replaced with players who still do not look like they have played together before.

We have just 14 games left - please use them to learn how to defend a corner.

Natalie Bromley can be found at No Nay Never podcast, external

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

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Daniel: Considering the amount of injuries and illnesses we have in our team, and having a lot of key players missing in the likes of Alisson, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai, this was a job well done. That front three of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez worked really well and they have shown consistency. A great win and further development in this exciting title race.

Andre: Once again Liverpool played below par but managed to get the win. I’m worried about the number of chances they have on goal. Goals win games, nothing else, but I realise a number of key players are missing.

Chris: The sooner Bradley is back, the better. We need to play Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield. I know he was carrying injury but it seems like he doesn't want to play there anymore. The goalkeeper was very good today for all the negativity he got in his last few games. We need to get players back from injury because there's a lot of games to be played.

Fred: We will need to step up a gear if we're going to win the Premier League. How crucial will that 0-0 against Manchester United be? As for Klopp announcing his departure in January with 17 games to go and us fighting on all four fronts, I will never understand that!

Burnley fans

Jack: Same as always. When are these clowns at our club going to realise that Kompany's way just isn't working? We are down. I hope some of the players have improved their standings. We are all fed up of this boring football. Looking good isn't enough - we need to put the ball in the opposition's net. That's what counts.

Steven: Great performance. To go to Liverpool and perform like that was fantastic. It was a poor first goal to concede and maybe if Aaron Ramsey rolls around for the second goal, that one doesn’t count. Some great chances created which could've easily got us a point. Onwards we go!

Baz: The difference between teams at the top of the Premier League and the bottom is having several decent goalscorers. It's an obvious statement, but goals win or draw matches. Other factors are important, such as quality and size of squad, but goals decide results. Burnley are lacking in all of the above, but Vincent Kompany doesn't have the buying power of Manchester City.

Ewan: I gave up caring months ago. Vincent Kompany thinks he is god. He makes poor team selections, poor substitutes and he doesn’t change things. He just sticks to the same old rubbish.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest are the only team to have conceded more goals from set pieces than Vincent Kompany's Burnley this season.

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has raised his concerns around the Clarets' defensive issues on Match of the Day: "I understand that they have a way of playing but I think the one thing we know, and everyone else knows, is that they really struggle from set pieces."

On Liverpool's opening goal from a corner in Saturday's fixture, Shearer added: "They just have no authority, particularly the goalkeeper [James Trafford]. When there's no one near the goalkeeper, he's got the flight of the ball, he's got a clear run at it - he should just come and collect that ball. I don't think that's very difficult but he just gets wiped out. There's just no authority whatsoever.

Analysing further corner kicks in the fixture, Shearer added: "When you're that weak and you're that poor at those situations, you're going to get punished. That's why they are near the bottom of the league.

"From a defensive point of view, Burnley are miles away."

Watch the full Match of the Day episode on BBC iPlayer

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven 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 and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Liverpool 3-1 Burnley

Nottingham Forest 2-3 Newcastle

Image source, Getty Images

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport at Anfield

Burnley have now conceded 50 goals in their 24 Premier League games this season; it’s the fastest they’ve reached that total in a top-flight season since 1929-30.

Meanwhile, they remain seven points from safety with Arsenal up next.

It's a bleak picture yet the Clarets might have left Anfield with something to show for their efforts had they taken their chances.

They carved out nine attempts - four on target - but found Caoimhin Kelleher, who was standing in for Alisson who was ill, in fine form.

Time is running out for Burnley. They need to add to their three Premier League wins to have any chance of pulling away from danger - sooner rather than later.

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

• Liverpool are just the third different Premier League side to win as many as 30 home games when scoring the opening goal, after Arsenal in March 2004 and Manchester United in April 2001 (both 33 games).

• Burnley have now lost 14 of their 18 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (W2 D2). It is their joint-most defeats against a side in the competition alongside Manchester City.

• The Clarets have now conceded 50 goals in their 24 Premier League games this season, which is the fastest they have reached that total in a top-flight season since 1929-30 (also 24 games).

• Trent Alexander-Arnold has now recorded 58 assists for Liverpool in the Premier League, with only Steven Gerrard (92) and Mohamed Salah (66) providing more for the Reds in the competition. He now has more Premier League assists than any other defender (58), edging one ahead of Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson (57).

• Only Lyle Foster (7) and Zeki Amdouni (5) have been involved in more Premier League goals for Burnley this season than Dara O’Shea (4 – 1 goal, 3 assists).

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany speaking to Sky Sports: "It was as good as a performance as you need to have a chance of getting a result somewhere like Anfield. There were lots of positives. We will always feel disappointed about the result, but the message to the team is: we keep growing. Every day of the week we need to continue with that belief.

"It wasn't just those two chances. In the first half, we had many moments where we broke and could have finished with one-on-ones, so it's the final ball and final details. They have good players too. You need a little something going your way and there wasn't enough of that today for us to get a result.

"I understand from Liverpool's perspective, they are always awkward games. There is an expectation from fans to see those games off early and to have a little bit of a quiet afternoon, but that's something we can benefit from. I've been on the other side many times and I know how awkward these things can be. We made it difficult and these types of performances can't remain unrewarded in the future.

"It's in moments like this that you show what you are made of. I have my eyes wide open and don't want to hide away from toughness. We do ourselves proud and our fans proud. People can tell you what you don't achieve in life, but they don't say what you can still achieve."

On his yellow card: "I would say it's a little bit to do with the game. I think I got booked because I should've paid attention to the fact that Jurgen Klopp got booked because then I think the referee just went looking for me.

"I opened my arms out, which I have done exactly that in many games, then all of a sudden the card comes out. Out of nothing. Now I'm suspended for the next game. I should've known it was just a way to balance it out and it doesn't make sense but hey, we have to keep going. No sulking."

Burnley captain Josh Brownhill speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat: "Overall we were very good actually. We don't want to concede the goals we conceded but to get the chances we had, there's a lot of positives.

"Going two goals down is always hard, but I'm proud of the boys. You don't create that many clear-cut chances, but on another day they go in.

"It's been the story of our season. We've been in so many games where we could have gotten more than we have right now. It's been a bit frustrating but the fight is still there, the belief and the performances.

"We just have to stick at it and hopefully things will turn."

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