Liverpool have lost just one of their last 15 Premier League games
High-flying Liverpool host Burnley on Wednesday night looking to continue their fine form and boost their top-four push.
The Reds beat reigning Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 on Sunday and have now gone 11 games unbeaten in the top flight; a run which has thrown them right back into contention for the Champions League places.
Sean Dyche's men, meanwhile, are without a win in six league outings and find themselves just four points off the foot of the table.
A Kieran Trippier own goal consigned the Clarets to defeat at home to Swansea at the weekend and they are bracing themselves for a tough spell with a run of games that includes facing Southampton, Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal to come.
Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his Liverpool players following the 2-1 over Manchester City.
Liverpool won the reverse fixture 1-0 on Boxing Day in a game that Burnley had the better of for long periods, but the Reds' stunning run of form makes them a more daunting prospect for Dyche's side this time around.
Team news
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is back in training after a hamstring injury but is unlikely to return, while Jordon Ibe is expected to be sidelined until the end of the month with the knee injury suffered in the Europa League loss at Besiktas last week.
Defender Mamadou Sakho is close to a return after a hip injury and full-back Glen Johnson should be back in contention after illness.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche is set to have the same squad of players available - his side came through the 1-0 home defeat to Swansea on Saturday without picking up any significant knocks.
They remain without Matthew Taylor, who is working on his fitness as he continues his recovery from Achilles surgery, as well as Dean Marney and Kevin Long with both out for the rest of the season due to cruciate ligament damage.
Opta facts
Liverpool have won their last seven home meetings with Burnley in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet on each occasion.
Sean Dyche's side haven't won in the Premier League in six
Burnley have failed to score in their last five league games against the Reds and in six of the last seven matches in all competitions.
Burnley had 16 shots against Liverpool in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day but not a single one of them was on target.
The Clarets have conceded the most headed goals in the Premier League this season (16).
Burnley seem at their most dangerous in the opening 15 minutes, when they have scored seven times, accounting for a league-high proportion of 28% of their goals in that period.
Raheem Sterling has now assisted as many Premier League goals this season (7) as the previous three campaigns combined.
Merson’s prediction
Liverpool are playing as well as anybody at the moment. I like the way Burnley have a go at teams but I don’t see how anyone will stop Liverpool on their run. I think they’ll get top four ahead of Manchester United.
Brendan Rodgers hasn’t thrown Daniel Sturridge back in because he’s so happy with the way they’re playing. That says it all. He has options now. Not having to rush Sturridge back will please him so much, and the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling will destroy anyone on their day.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2
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