Liverpool vs Burnley: Wirtz goal gives Reds lead thanks to ‘brilliant’ Ekitike in Premier League… but Edwards levels for Clarets

Florian Wirtz’s third goal in five matches put Liverpool on course to rise to fourth in the Premier League with the opener at home to relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday – but Marcus Edwards fired in to equalise for the Clarets with 25 minutes remaining.

Germany international Wirtz recorded his fifth direct goal involvement in seven appearances to make the breakthrough in the 42nd minute, lashing in after Hugo Ekitike surged inside the box on the left and played a pass back to Curtis Jones, who teed up the £116 million signing’s fierce drive.

“It was brilliant from Ekitike,” former England defender Michael Dawson told Sky Sports. “He went past two of them like they were not there. A great finish from Wirtz – and it’s only what they deserve.”

Liverpool vs Burnley: Wirtz, Edwards goals

Wirtz continued his prolific form following a goal and assist in the 4-1 home win over third-tier Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Monday and a strike in the 2-2 draw at Fulham in the league on January 4.

Burnley are nine points from safety but were redeemed when Dominik Szoboszlai struck the crossbar with a 29th-minute penalty, having been fouled by Florentino Luis.

Scott Parker’s side spurned a presentable chance with Marcus Edwards sent a shot over the crossbar shortly after half-time, but the winger redeemed himself by collecting Florentino’s pass to level.

Liverpool have drawn all three of their Premier League matches in 2026, drawing 0-0 at home to Leeds United and away to Arsenal either side of earning a point at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool team vs Burnley

Liverpool made six changes from their 4-1 home win over Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Monday, restoring goalkeeper Alisson Becker, full-back Milos Kerkez and centre-back Ibrahima Konate alongside midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and forwards Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.

Right-back Conor Bradley is out with a long-term knee injury.

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool substitutes: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Andy Robertson, Trey Nyoni, Calvin Ramsay, Rio Ngumoha

Burnley team vs Liverpool

Burnley made eight changes from their 5-1 home win over second-tier Millwall in the FA Cup a week earlier, retaining defender Maxime Esteve and midfielders Josh Laurent and Lesley Ugochukwu in their starting line-up.

Burnley starting XI: Martin Dubravka, Axel Tuanzebe, Maxime Esteve, Bashir Humphreys, Kyle Walker, Lesley Ugochukwu, Florentino, Lucas Pires, Marcus Edwards, Armando Broja, Jaidon Anthony

Burnley substitutes: Max Weiss, Quilindschy Hartman, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Lyle Foster, Loum Tchaouna, Hjalmar Ekdal, Hannibal Mejbri, Josh Laurent, Ashley Barnes

How to watch Liverpool vs Burnley: TV and online streams

Liverpool versus Burnley started at 15:00 GMT (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT) on Saturday. It is not being shown live in the UK.

Liverpool vs Burnley stats

• Liverpool have lost one of their nine Premier League home games against Burnley (W6 D2), losing in January in the only previous season they faced them as reigning champions (1-0 in 2020/21)
• The Reds are averaging 14.7 shots per game in the Premier League this season, which is their lowest since 2001/02 (14.5)
• Their expected goals per game of 1.54 is their lowest in the league since 201516 (1.33)
• After a 1-1 draw with Sunderland and 0-0 draw with Leeds at Anfield this season, Liverpool could fail to win three successive home league games against promoted sides for the first time since January 2002
• They last won none of their three home games against promoted sides in a league season in 1980/81
• Burnley have lost their last six Premier League games against Liverpool by an aggregate score of 12-1, since a 1-0 win at Anfield in January 2021
• They have scored just 11 goals in 19 Premier League games against Liverpool (0.6 per game), only averaging fewer against Arsenal among sides they’ve faced more than twice (0.5, 9 goals in 19 games)
• The Clarets are winless in their last 12 league matches (D3 L9), last going longer without a league victory from December 2006 to March 2007 in the Championship (18), and last doing so in the top-flight from August to October 1970 (14) – the 13th game of which was a 2-0 defeat away to Liverpool
• The Reds had 10 shots against Fulham and eight against Arsenal in their last two league games, last managing 10 or fewer three matches running in the Premier League in March 2005 (4)
• Liverpool have spent the largest proportion of their time building up against low blocks in the Premier League this season (25%), while only Sunderland (28%) and Wolves (23%) have spent a larger proportion of time in a low block during opposition build-up than Burnley (22%)
• Of players with at least 50 take-ons attempted in the Premier League this season, Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz has the highest success rate (54% – 27/50), while he’s one of only five players to have created 30+ chances from open play in 2025-26 (31)
• Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk made more line-breaking passes than any other player in their most recent Premier League game against Arsenal (16), while overall this campaign, only Marcos Senesi (110) has made more line-breaking passes into the final third than the Dutchman’s 98
• Only Joao Palhinha (91), Neco Williams (85) and James Garner (85) have made more tackles and interceptions combined in the Premier League this season than Burnley’s Florentino (84 – 61 tackles, 23 interceptions)

Premier League results and fixtures this weekend

Saturday’s action began with Manchester United starting new interim manager Michael Carrick’s tenure with a 2-0 home win over Manchester City.

All matches start at 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT unless stated otherwise.

Saturday, January 17

Man United 2-0 Man City

Chelsea vs Brentford

Leeds United vs Fulham

Liverpool vs Burnley

Sunderland vs Crystal Palace

Tottenham vs West Ham

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal (17:30)

Sunday, January 18

Wolves vs Newcastle (14:00)

Aston Villa vs Everton (16:30)

Monday, January 19

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Bournemouth (20:00)