Liverpool

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk hopes Alexander Isak will start making contributions to the team's cause as soon as possible, as the striker builds up his fitness before a potential debut against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Isak, who joined for a British record fee from Newcastle on deadline day, missed some of pre-season while the transfer saga played out and he did not feature in Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win against Burnley.

"Obviously it was a very difficult time, negotiations go on behind the scenes and the whole team and everyone connected to the club was very pleased that the deal got done," said centre-back Van Dijk.

"Now he is here, he's part of the family.

"It is time for him to be as fit as he can as quickly as possible, and be important for us with goals, with assists, with link-up play and with what Hugo [Ekitike] has already been showing and doing, pushing each other and bringing us to the next level."

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

It has been a case of "not how you start, but how you finish" for Liverpool so far this season.

One of four Premier League sides yet to score in the opening 30 minutes of a game, they have won all four of their matches thanks to a winning goal in the final 10 minutes or later, setting a new record in the competition.

The Reds have scored five goals in total in the final 10 minutes of Premier League matches, at least two more than any other team.

Even at this early stage, it is already a contrast to last season, when they won just three league games with winners scored in the last 10 minutes. They had just one game-winning goal in the 90th minute or later, whereas they have already had two in their opening four games of 2025-26.

The difference so far this season is possibly that they have not been at their best and have needed to push harder in the final stages of games. Last season, they were often well enough ahead not to need late winners - 16 of their 25 league wins were by two or more goals.

Their run of scoring late winners will surely dry up, but the worry for their rivals is that it is because they might not need them.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson says Milos Kerkez "needs to keep going and keep his confidence" after being substituted in the 38th minute against Burnley.

Kerkez was booked in the 22nd minute for simulation and head coach Arne Slot opted to replace the summer signing for vice-captain Robertson to avoid the chance of them going down to ten men.

"He [Kerkez] is only young and I think we forget that," said the Scotsman. "You try to help them as much as you can but you want to put pressure on them and you want to play games.

"He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the future and it's up to me to push him this season and help him improve.

"He just needs to keep working hard and not let this affect him - which it won't as he's a confident lad, and I'll help him as much as I can.

"It's a massive jump. I came from Hull and he's come from Bournemouth, and it's probably quite similar. There are a lot more eyes on you in a Liverpool jersey than at those two clubs.

"He has transitioned well. There's a lot of information and a lot of different ways of playing, and he just needs to keep going and keep his confidence.

"I have no doubt in the future he will be a fantastic left-back for Liverpool and that's the main thing."

Listen to more from Robertson on our Liverpool feed on BBC Sounds

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.

Match of the Day pundits Danny Murphy and Theo Walcott discuss Mohamed Salah's "positive habits" despite what some are describing as a slow start to the season for the PFA player of the year.

Crystal Palace may consider offers in the region of £60m for Adam Wharton in January, with Liverpool keen on the 21-year-old England midfielder. (Teamtalk), external

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

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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

What was once "Fergie Time" is now "Arne Time".

It was a phrase used to describe the uncanny habit Sir Alex Ferguson's all-conquering Manchester United side had of breaking opponents' hearts with late, late shows.

As in the prime "Fergie Time" days, there is now an audible groan from opposing fans when the board goes up for added time when Liverpool are seeking a winner.

It happened when "11" went up with the score 2-2 at St James' Park against Newcastle. It was the same at Burnley when "5" flashed up beneath The Bob Lord Stand.

It all adds to the opposition's anxiety and Liverpool's power.

As the game ticks towards its conclusion, Liverpool are now inside opponents' heads, striking fear that a late goal is coming. This result was so cruel on Burnley, but no-one is safe, no points are taken against Liverpool, until the final whistle has sounded.

In their own dramatic way, Liverpool are actually carrying out Slot's instructions from last season.

He said in January: "One of the things I would like us to do better in the second half of the season than the first half, although it wasn't necessary that many times, is to make a late goal winner.

"Hopefully we don't come to these situations a lot but we definitely, if we are coming in those situations, have one, two or three times a moment where we do score in the last minute of the game when we deserve it."

Slot said after those demands had been satisfied once more at Turf Moor: "Compliments to Burnley for the way they defended. It was difficult for us to find an opening and a few times we were close.

"If we had scored, the game may have been open, but because we didn't they did the same thing. We had to wait until the end phase of the second half and in the final stages we got what were hoping for.

"There is a chance it will fall in the way you want, but it was difficult because they had players behind the ball. We needed a moment of luck, or a moment of magic.

"We didn't have the magic but we had the luck. You are hoping and trying to make it more difficult, but they were strong."

The fact Liverpool have needed late goals in their first four Premier League wins illustrates that they have not yet been near their best this season – a frightening prospect for those hoping to take their crown off them, and with £125m striker Alexander Isak waiting in the wings.

Read more on 'Arne time'

Hear from Slot: "We were lucky to score in the end"

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's strong start to the Premier League season has been built on late winners and here was another, Burnley having been seconds away from what would have been a superb result.

The champions scored in the 88th minute and then in the fourth minute of stoppage time to beat Bournemouth in their opening game at Anfield. Teenager Rio Ngumoha scored a 100th-minute winner at Newcastle United.

Dominic Szoboszlai's decisive free-kick against Arsenal came seven minutes from time, while Mohamed Salah did the trick at Turf Moor.

It reflects the fact that Liverpool have not been at their best, despite recording four straight wins, but also illustrates the steel that runs through this side along with the skill.

And there is also the psychological impact of Liverpool's relentless approach, perhaps resulting in Hannibal's needless handball that took away a precious point from Burnley.

Liverpool can now start their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday on the back of another domestic victory, with Arne Slot revealing Alexander Isak will be involved against the Spanish side.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's late victory over Burnley: "Compliments to Burnley for the way they defended. It was difficult for us to find an opening and a few times we were close.

"If we had scored, the game may have been open but because we didn't, they did the same thing. We had to wait until the end phase of the second half and in the final stages we got what were hoping for.

"There is a chance it will fall in the way you want but it was difficult because they had players behind the ball. We needed a moment of luck, or a moment of magic. We didn't have the magic but we had the luck. You are hoping and trying to make it more difficult but they were strong.

"Mo Salah for as long as he has been at Liverpool has been good for us. It was a great moment for us because I think he missed the last two."

On his decision to replace Milos Kerkez with Andy Robertson in the 38th minute: "It was because he got a yellow card. I think the fans here thought a chance for them to win the game is if we ended up with a second yellow.

"With Milos I can never be 100% he doesn't make the next foul, then the fans are on top of the referee. I thought the only way we could lose it today was if we went down to 10 men."

On his decision not to include new striker Alexander Isak in the matchday squad: "You make a choice for a good reason, for a good argument. That choice was because he missed out for four months on team training.

"He's in his second or third week of pre-season. We have given him a proper week and then we think maybe he will get more than 10 or 15 minutes in our Wednesday game and that's the way to build him up.

"He needs proper playing time but also build him up so he has a good base."

Did you know?

• Liverpool are the first side in Premier League history to win four consecutive matches thanks to a winning goal scored in the final 10 minutes or late with the Reds having now scored 47 winning goals in that time frame - at least 13 more than any other side (Arsenal – 34).

• Mohamed Salah has now scored 188 goals in the Premier League but that penalty was his first winning goal scored in the 90th+ minute.

• The Egyptian's winner has moved him ahead of Andrew Cole (187) into outright fourth in the top goalscorers chart (Wayne Rooney third on 208).

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

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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

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Curtis Jones is the only unavailable player for Sunday's away game as "the rest came back [from international duty] without a problem".

• He said they will have to "build up" Alexander Isak's minutes due to missing pre-season, so "don't expect him to be playing every single game for 90 minutes".

• More on Isak: "With us playing so many games there's little training time. That is going to be a challenge but we have not signed him for the next two weeks we have signed him for six years and the fans have to keep this in mind."

• Slot said he has not spoken to the striker more than "one or two" times since signing on deadline day so he will "have to get to know him as a person in the upcoming days and weeks".

• On Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, whose deal collapsed on deadline day: "It would be ridiculous if I denied that we were close to signing him. These things happen in football. In the last moments things can change. It's a pity, not only for us, but for the player as well. Let's see what the future brings for him and for us."

• Slot praised Harvey Elliott's work ethic and said his move to Aston Villa "is in the interest of everyone as he wasn't getting the game time he deserved for the quality of player he is".

• Opponents Burnley are "defensively solid" and should not be written off. Reflecting on playing newly promoted teams, Slot added: "We know that every game is difficult and I only have to look back at last season to understand that. We had problems with Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton."

• On Federico Chiesa being omitted from the Champions League squad: "It's one of the most difficult things you have to do as a manager. I explained to him why we made this choice. Of course he wasn't happy, but I think he understood my argument. That's not to say he agreed with them, but he gave the answer you want to hear from a player. He'll be there to help the team in the cups and league."

Follow all of Friday'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 on Sunday

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All today's news and views on the Reds in two minutes.

This update has been created and reviewed by our journalists, using AI to help summarise the most up-to-date Liverpool news. It's read aloud by an AI voice.

Listen on BBC Sounds

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reflected on the transfer deadline passing but says Alexander Isak needs to be given time and gradual minutes to reach his optimum level after his switch from Newcastle.

Hear more from Slot on Isak on the Liverpool feed on BBC Sounds.

Liverpool are confident they are leading the race to sign England defender Marc Guehi, 25, next summer when the Crystal Palace defender's contract expires and are looking at an £87m deal to sign Bayern Munich and France winger Michael Olise, 23. (Caught Offside), external

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

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Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Carragher has been recognised by Athletic Club as their 2025 'One-Club' Man award winner.

The annual accolade, given by the Basque side, celebrates legendary players who have shown loyalty by representing a single club throughout their professional careers.

A statement from Bilbao read: "Liverpool FC's Jamie Carragher is the 2025 One-Club Man. The English defender represented the Reds across a 17-year professional career at Anfield, making 737 appearances for the club between 1996 and 2013.

"Carra will come to San Mames to receive his award during Athletic Club's La Liga Matchday six clash against Girona FC. Despite having to compete with the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand for an England berth, Jamie was able to represent his nation at three major tournaments."

The defender said that it was an honour to receive this award and spoke about the respect Athletic Bilbao garners across the globe.

"After winning the Champions League, being a one-club man is the biggest achievement of my career," he told us.

"It was an honour when Athletic Club got in touch. Athletic are respected everywhere in the world of football. They're a truly unique club.

"I'm very honoured to receive this award and to know my name will always remain alongside some great footballers like Paolo Maldini and Carles Puyol."

Carragher made his mark for Liverpool, notably winning the Champions League, two FA Cups, and three League Cups.

He now joins an illustrious list of previous One-Club Man recipients, including Maldini, Puyol, Ryan Giggs, and Sepp Maier.

Athletic's tradition of recognising loyalty reflects the values of their own unique philosophy, with the club historically fielding only players of Basque origin.

Liverpool and Manchester United are among a host of top clubs tracking Ajax's teenage Dutch defender Aaron Bouwman, 18. (Teamtalk), external

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