Reds fans here in the Tavern are looking to start the New Year with a bang as they look to gain some early momentum.
Indeed, as the New Year is upon us Liverpool fans are willing their side on for a successful January, both in domestic matches and in the form of the transfer window.
Their recent form has been rather impressive since looking like they were going to miss out on a Champions League spot a couple of months back, with festive draws and wins going a long way to securing a top 4 position.
However, next-up they face a trip to visit Sean Dyche and his Burnley side at Turf Moor on New-years day, a side that have mounted a bid for Europe themselves with their incredible run of form over the month of December.
After forcing a disappointing 1-1 draw when these two teams faced up at Anfield back in September, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that his side can take all 3 points this time around.
Having taken a point off Manchester United on Boxing Day in a game that they really should have won, it just goes to show that they won’t be pushovers come the 1st of January.
Nevertheless, with it still all to play for, if Jurgen Klopp fields this Liverpool XI then Burnley’s run of form will come to an end.
GK: Simon Mignolet
Although he’s flapped like a seal in recent weeks, Lorius Karius lacks game-time which forces Klopp to continue giving the Belgian a run in the side.
Having shown rare glimpses of class at times in recent games, he’ll be hoping he can iron out the mistakes with his Liverpool future potentially on the line.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Indeed, after netting his first Premier League goal for Liverpool in their 5-0 drubbing of Swansea City, he’ll be high in confidence and keen to improve after his inspired performance.
A man who Klopp has grown to adore at the club, so due to his recent form will continue to give the youngster a shot in the side.
CB: Joel Matip
Joel Matip has been sensational since he was picked up as a free-agent some summers ago, as arguably the only reliable central-defender that the club currently has.
Whenever he’s fit he’ll always have a starting place in the side, with a string of draws coming from their festive matches without him, they’ll be more than happy to see him back fit and ready.
CB: Ragnar Klavan
Ragnar has been a standout player in recent weeks with solidity and a brute amount of strength keeping forwards at bay.
Seeing Dejan Lovren drop to the bench isn’t something that Liverpool fans have been used to, but after seeing the recent performances of the central defender, who can fault the switch.
LB: Andy Robertson
With Alberto Moreno still missing from the side through injury, Andy has enjoyed an extended amount of minutes in the first-team, where he’s provided some decent performances for the Reds.
Of course, with no other player to take Moreno’s place there leaves no other option but to give him a place in the starting line-up once again, with his future place at Liverpool still all to play for.
CM: Emre Can
The German international always gives his best for the red shirt of Liverpool with his heart worn firmly on his sleeve, his passion and fight is what makes him such an important feature with Jordan Henderson’s absence.
Jurgen Klopp shares a lot of admiration for the midfielder, and likes what he brings to the side.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum
Very much the ‘joker’ of the side who always has a smile on his face, and why not with the impressive performances he’s displayed whenever he puts the red shirt over his shoulders.
His creativity and passing abilities are what makes players like Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah so potent, his supply lines feed them with the opportunities to score goals.
CM: Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian magician hasn’t been short of producing magic over the festive period, with some absolute wonder-goals and audacious trickery constantly amazing the Liverpool crowd.
Against a Burnley side that likes to overload the midfield, this man will be tasked with dropping into a deeper role to create with it being difficult to provide with a wall in front of the defenders.
RW: Mohamed Salah
The ‘Egyptian Messi’ has been the Reds most influential player on his way to winning national and domestic awards for his efforts, definitely the signing of the summer in the Premier League.
A guaranteed starter on any given day with his pace and ability to find the back of the net so important to the success of this side.
ST: Roberto Firmino
After rediscovering his goal-scoring form in recent games, he’s continued to prove his worth as arguably Liverpool’s most important player with many of their goals often being created by the Brazilian.
His recent form will have strikers on the bench wondering if they’re ever gonna get a place in the side, as Klopp’s leader at the pinnacle of the attack continues to produce.
LW: Sadio Mane
Still, yet to discover his prolific goal-scoring form that he displayed prior to his injury, he’s still managed to produce moments of brilliance and his name on the goal-sheet more often than not.
Klopp will be keen to see this man replicate his early-season magic.
Another quality signing by the German.
Reds fans, thoughts?
