Liverpool v Burnley match preview

The Clarets travel to Anfield with no fresh injury concerns from the international break, with Michael Duff and Steven Caldwell both inching close to returns, and David Nugent added to the squad on loan from Portsmouth.

Liverpool-born Nugent will be hoping to be included in the eleven after a promising debut in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley, but Owen Coyle is likely to stick with the same team that struggled to cope with a wonderful Chelsea performance two weeks ago.

Martin Paterson has struggled this season, with no goals yet in the league and a string of chances missed in two appeances for Northern Ireland in the break, but Coyle will give him another chance to prove himself. Local lad Jay Rodriguez may have forced himself into the squad with two well-taken goals against Stanley, but the addition of Nugent to the squad means he will find his opportunities this season limited.

Chris Eagles will be hoping for a first league start of the season after playing well in the Stanley win, but he will again have to settle for an appearance from the substitutes' bench.

Liverpool have problems in midfield after the international matches, with Javier Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani likely to miss out. That means Lucas Leiva will start in midfield, with Steven Gerrard asked to play a more withdrawn role than of late, dropping into the midfield instead of playing off Fernando Torres. Torres has had a difficult start to the campaign but he will look at the match as a chance to get some goals on the board. Dirk Kuyt may partner him with Yossi Benayoun or Albert Riera supporting from the flank.

In defence, Daniel Agger is still out with a back injury, and Fabio Aurelio may also miss out, with Emiliano Insua to come in to deputise. Benitez will have to choose between Kyrgiakos and Skrtel to partner Carragher at centre-back.

One of the hosts' biggest attacking threats will be the rampaging runs of England international Glen Johnson from full-back. The former Chelsea player already has two goals this season.

Rafa Benitez has bad memories of facing Burnley after the Clarets knocked his Liverpool team out of the FA Cup in his first season at the club in 2005, after Djimi Traore's comical own goal handed Steve Cotterill's side a 1-0 win at Turf Moor.

But Burnley are without a goal or a point in two Premier League games this season, and another defeat is expected, although Liverpool have conceded first in three of their four league games so far, and Burnley have won both games in which they have netted.

Liverpool are likely to have too much for the still-learning Burnley, with a similar result to the Stamford Bridge scoreline the likeliest result.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Burnley.

This article was written for Fansonline Burnley.