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Liverpool resumes its Premier League campaign at Turf Moor today, with the Reds aiming to reclaim top spot after Saturday's games.
Wins for Arsenal and Tottenham bumped Arne Slot's men down to third in the table, but last season's title winner is the heavy favorite against Burnley.
There are a number of interesting subplots to look out for during the game — not least Alexander Isak making his debut — and that prospect figures in our pre-game talking points...
Alexander Isak debut
We couldn't really start anywhere else. Isak is not expected to start against Burnley, given the only competitive soccer he has played since the end of last season came in the form of a 20-minute substitute appearance for Sweden against Kosovo last week.
The 25-year-old went on strike at Newcastle in a bid to force through his move to Anfield, which meant he did not figure in any of the Magpies' pre-season games.
While his refusal to play for Newcastle ultimately had the desired effect, it means Liverpool will have to build him up in the coming weeks.
It would be a surprise were he not to at least get off the bench at Burnley — a team that Isak scored twice against in two appearances for Newcastle during the 2023-24 campaign.
Right-back choice
Dominik Szoboszlai has acquitted himself excellently since Arne Slot sprung a surprise by deploying him at right-back against Newcastle last month.
He is an offensive midfielder by trade, but his athleticism is well suited to a buccaneering full-back role too, and he could continue there in Lancashire.
Were Szoboszlai not to get the nod in defense, it would be intriguing to see whether he would have to settle for a place on the bench.
Four into three does not go, and Liverpool has Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz to try and cram into the midfield trio as well as Szoboszlai — assuming Slot sticks with a front three of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike.
Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are both available after dealing with fitness issues earlier in the season.
Florian Wirtz to finally catch fire?
Wirtz was always going to be scrutinized particularly heavily during his first few games due to the transfer fee Liverpool paid for the Germany international. And while he is yet to register a goal or an assist, he clearly passes the eye test.
The 22-year-old oozes class and his influence on this Liverpool team is only going to increase over the course of the season.
We've seen glimpses of Wirtz's quality in the Reds' opening three games, but are we about to see him truly shine against a team that, in theory, is the weakest of Liverpool's four Premier League opponents so far?
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