It was supposed to be so simple. There’d be a set way to bet on Liverpool games with the title in the back. It was to be low-scoring, dull encounters where occasionally they’d be turned over by the opposition having taken their foot off the gas.
But unfortunately for their remaining adversaries, Manchester City embarrassed them 4-0 and something clicked in the minds of Liverpool players and Jurgen Klopp.
While the league title was the biggest accomplishment, Pep and co put in a steady reminder that not only have they not gone away, but they did set a benchmark that Liverpool haven’t reached – the 100-point mark and minimal complacency over 38 games.
Yes, a pandemic will put an asterisk on this Liverpool season, but to me it’s more of a badge of honour than it is a negative context point. To hold that mentality across an off-season-sized break is incredible, and they didn’t exactly stumble towards the line.
More footy tips for Saturday:
- Our 3 best bets from Saturday’s busy Championship schedule
- Expect goals galore in the two 12.30pm kick-offs
- Sheffield United to cause a shock at harm Chelsea’s top 4 challenge
- Man City to batter Brighton in seaside slaughter
The Reds can conceivably land on 104 points, setting a new Premier League record, and you can bet your life they’ll be focused on it – which is ominous for Burnley. Especially as this needs to be three points, given there are games against Chelsea and Arsenal to come for the champions.
Here’s your three best bets for Liverpool and Burnley.
James Tarkowski to be Booked
With this price being what it is, it’s a must-have as we look to avoid the heavy shade of odds-on about Liverpool winning this one. Only Jefferson Lerma has been cautioned more times than the Burnley defender and that fact, coupled with the odds, is why we’re taking an interest here.
Tarkowski likes to leave an old-school reminder on centre forwards early in games to try and disengage them physically and it’s hardly a bad idea to do so against Liverpool. And now that the Clarets genuinely have an outside chance of Europe, that intensity early in games will be required even more. Burnley are about to go full Dychey.
Result and Both Teams to Score: Liverpool
This is a good alternative to backing Klopp’s boys as the massive odds-on they are, but only if you’re confident in them scoring multiple times – which I am.
The last Premier League home game in which Liverpool failed to score multiple times? The Merseyside derby in 2018. Scoring goals is just in their DNA. But their recent trait of sloppiness when met with enterprise means that Burnley won’t be without hope in this tie. It’s worth reading the obvious signs and following Liverpool to win and Both Teams To Score in this one.
Half-Time/Full-Time: Draw/Liverpool
I can’t quite get over the idea that Burnley will start this one very strongly, and even if they don’t break the deadlock, they’ll do enough to nullify that Liverpool XI which will almost certainly be different to the one that beat Brighton in midweek.
That kind of inconsistency on the team sheet generally leads to inconsistency in the early part of games and don’t be surprised if Liverpool are going in at the break exceptionally frustrated.
Tips for Liverpool v Burnley
James Tarkowski to be Booked
Result and Both Teams to Score: Liverpool
Half-Time/Full-Time: Draw/Liverpool
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More footy tips for Saturday:
- Our 3 best bets from Saturday’s busy Championship schedule
- Expect goals galore in the two 12.30pm kick-offs
- Sheffield United to cause a shock at harm Chelsea’s top 4 challenge
- Man City to batter Brighton in seaside slaughter