Burnley

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Just as the gossip train among the Burnley faithful started to grumble with the lack of January transfer activity, up pops a rumour that Scott Parker is interested in the services of West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse. A positive move that would make an immediate improvement to the Burnley starting XI. I am excited by this rumour - he is exactly what we need.

Other than that, there appears to be nothing else to report in terms of transfers. And my goodness, are we a side in desperate need of something fresh being injected into it.

In the latest episode of Burnley's in-house documentary, we saw comments that we expected to be busy in the run-up to the last weekend. I understand that the January window is hard - one made all the harder this year with Afcon - but waiting until the end of the month and scooping up 'what's left' on the cheap isn't going to do it.

We need cover in midfield. We need goals. We need improvements. We need to at least try to stay in the league.

And the result at Anfield on Saturday was a real positive step in that direction. Not that a point is likely to be enough to make a significant dent - the Leeds and West Ham wins were a blow - but it demonstrated that courage and fight can make a difference.

Parker could do with taking note of what happens when you are brave. I have talked a lot about the difference it makes when you try to win a game, and too many times this season, this Burnley side has been passive and insipid right up to the point that the game is lost. Then they start this incredible fightback.

Courage isn't about stepping up when you've nothing to lose. It is about stepping up when you have everything to lose.

Go out and try to win the games - you never know what might happen.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Burnley.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Ken: Incredibly frustrating result after an increasingly tepid performance. Gone is the intensity that has been Liverpool's hallmark in recent years. At one point at 1-0, Dominik Szoboszlai decided not to launch a counter-attack and that sums up this Arne Slot team - devoid of killer instinct and risk-averse.

Grant: At this point, the opposition doesn't matter. We have coach who is not aligned with this team, a captain who shows no leadership on the pitch and players who don't take any responsibility. This is not the Liverpool we know.

TJ: The longer the game went on, the more predictable and less adventurous we became. There were far too many slow, square passes, and when we did finally try to penetrate Burnley's 'low block', the receiving player invariably had their back to the goal, rather than on the half-turn. Consequently, it's a catalogue of attempted flicks that rarely create scoring opportunities. It's hardly 'edge of your seat' stuff. Come on, Liverpool. Entertain us...

Satnam: This is a team that plays the Slot way. It's dire, drab and dull. He won us a league and forever will be remembered for that, but he does not have a clue how to get us out of the current situation. Results over the 2025 calendar year and start of 2026 have not been good enough on the whole.

Burnley fans

Alex: A draw is probably not enough, but we showed fight and that counts for a lot to the fans. Running their backsides off, throwing their bodies at shots - that's what we want to see!

Neil: Superb. Full of fight and endeavour. If we are going down, this is the way to do it.

Paul: Defended well. Yet another soft penalty, but fortunate that he missed. Showed a bit of spirit in the second half. We have proved we can be dangerous and are a better team than our position suggests. It's just a very tough league to win matches in.

KC: Tenacious... kept Liverpool at bay.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-0 Brentford

• Tottenham 1-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As Anfield emptied out, the Burnley players and their travelling supporters celebrated jubilantly.

West Ham's win at Spurs was bad news for the Clarets' slim survival hopes, but this result was a rare moment of joy in an otherwise tough season for Scott Parker's side.

They are yet to keep an away clean sheet and are winless in their past 13, but showed great spirit to earn a point at the champions.

On another day, Burnley could have been three or four goals down by the time they scored, but they showed courage and took advantage of Liverpool's sloppiness.

After failing to score or assist in any of his first six Premier League appearances for the club, Edwards has three goal involvements in his past six games (one goal, two assists).

The visitors also had Dubravka to thank for limiting Liverpool with a string of crucial saves.

In all probability, Burnley look unlikely to stay up - but they have now only lost two of their past six league games (drawn four), having lost seven in a row before that.

Burnley boss Scott Parker speaking to Match of the Day: "The discipline we showed today, the commitment and the bravery and courage. We caused Liverpool problems. Overall we were superb. It's fair to say over the course of this season we have been competitive in the majority of games we have played. The points don't represent that, but today is a massive point for us.

"The first half there were certain things that we needed to change. One of those things was our positioning and the element of being braver and more courageous. First half was tough for us. Second half we were brilliant, brave and created a couple of very good chances."

On Marcus Edwards' goal: "Massive for Marcus. Unbelievable finish and a well-worked goal. He was a bright light, especially in the second half. I asked the team to try and leave a mark today and they did that to a man."

On picking up points against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United: "Massive points. Our season probably won't be decided on games like today or Manchester United at home. But you want to pick up points against those teams and we have done that. We need to continue that."

Did you know?

• Burnley have only lost two of their last six Premier League games (D4), having lost each of their prior seven matches in the competition.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Arne Slot makes six changes from the side that started against Barnsley in the FA Cup with Hugo Ekitike back in the starting eleven.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

For Scott Parker, there's eight changes to his Burnley side that swept aside Millwall last weekend, with Axel Tuanzebe straight back in from AFCON duty

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Humphreys; Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Pires; Edwards, Anthony; Broja

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Man Utd v Man City (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds v Fulham

• Liverpool v Burnley

• Sunderland v Crystal Palace

• Tottenham v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Brentford" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Burnley have picked up three draws in their past five league games so they have not given up the fight against the drop, but they have now gone 12 league games without a win and you have to think they have had it.

You still don't really know what kind of performance you are going to get from Liverpool, and they huffed and puffed a little bit to get past Barnsley in the FA Cup, but I am still going to back them here.

Liverpool needed a stoppage-time Mohamed Salah penalty to win at Turf Moor in September, but I can see it being a lot more comfortable for Arne Slot's side this time.

I remember when Burnley boss Scott Parker lost 9-0 with Bournemouth at Anfield in 2022 and was sacked the next day.

I don't see his side shipping as many goals this time, but Parker is going to be under pressure until the Clarets win again. Maybe that will happen when they are at home to Tottenham next week, because they are not getting anything here.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Liverpool, unbeaten in their past 11 games in all competitions, face a relegation-threatened Burnley side whose most recent league win was back in October.

The Reds have only lost one of their nine Premier League home matches in this fixture, though that defeat in January 2021 came in the only previous season they hosted Burnley as reigning champions.

Reds more functional than fluent

Reigning league champions Liverpool are enjoying their longest run without defeat for a year but they are accruing points without reaching the performance levels of last season.

They go into the weekend's fixtures 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and eight adrift of Aston Villa in third.

Liverpool scored 86 goals during their title-winning campaign but are yet to replicate that firepower as head coach Arne Slot experiments with finding a system to best suit his expensively remodelled front line.

No side in the current top eight has scored fewer league goals this season than Liverpool, who are averaging their fewest shots per game since 2001-02. They are also failing to create the volume and quality of chances they did in 2024-25 and lack the counter-attacking potency of last season.

There are, at least, encouraging signs of a blossoming partnership on the pitch between Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. After a difficult start to his Liverpool career, Wirtz has scored three goals and provided two assists in his past six matches, while leading scorer Ekitike has six goals in seven appearances.

They set up each other's goals after coming off the bench against Barnsley in the FA Cup.

Will Burnley avoid unwanted milestone?

Burnley's emphatic 5-1 FA Cup win against Championship promotion contenders Millwall was the Clarets' first victory in 11 weeks and followed an encouraging top-flight draw against Manchester United.

Nonetheless, Parker admitted the Premier League is "a different level" and it is one that his side has struggled with to date. Only Wolves have fewer than Burnley's three wins and only West Ham have conceded more goals.

Burnley, eight points from safety, are on the cusp of the third-longest winless run in their top-flight history - and longest since 1970.

Huzaifah Khan
BBC Sport journalist

Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Parker says defender Joe Worrall is "close" to returning from injury and the club will make a call on his fitness this weekend, while forward Zian Flemming is out but could be back for the next match.

• He added that "everyone else is fit and well coming off the back of a big block of games".

• He says it is a "huge boost" to have Hannibal Mejbri back after he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations last week. "He's a passionate guy, a real driver. It's an ongoing process and we need to tame a little bit and understand the animal we're working with," Parker said.

• On how the mood is in the dressing room after recent positive results against Manchester United and Millwall: "We're positive like we always have been but, of course, the mood's probably a little bit better after the results."

• Parker was asked whether the club are working to making signings in the last weeks of the January transfer window: "We're hoping to. I think I always say there are so many different variables in that. We're active and trying to do that. It's a tough window, this window. It's a short window and right in the middle of the season."

• On how much the reverse fixture against Liverpool hurt after conceding so late: "I'm not one that often looks back. It was a positive performance from us and one, of course, that hurt at the back end of such a late goal to go in. We can take massive positives from that performance playing against a world-class team and we know the challenges we face going to Anfield as well."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Swansea City are in talks with Burnley over the future of Manuel Benson, but there is no guarantee that the winger's loan spell with the Championship club will be cut short this month.

Benson has been on the fringes at Swansea after joining in September on a deal for the remainder of the season.

The Swans are interested in bring Benson's loan to an early conclusion during the January transfer window, but that will only happen if all parties agree on the idea.

Benson has made eight appearances for the Swans, including just one league start.

"At the moment we are finding the best solution for all of us in terms of the future," said Swansea head coach Vitor Matos.

"Everything can change in football so quickly. We are talking to find the best solution."

Benson has played only once under Matos, as a second-half substitute when Swansea were beaten at home by Derby in the Portuguese's first game in charge in November.

The Angola international went away to the Africa Cup of Nations in last month and has not featured since for Swansea even though his country's involvement at the tournament ended on 29 December.

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There are players who become so synonymous with their clubs that they achieve icon status.

Steven Gerrard, Jamie Vardy, Dean Windass - and Ashley Barnes.

Barnes was never meant to come back for a final spell. But come back he did. And he delivered an FA Cup third-round performance of such impressive magnitude on Saturday afternoon that Burnley and their supporters were able to forget about their league woes for a few glorious hours while watching our Ashley prove why he is still capable of the clinical finishing that made him a club favourite.

There were other moments to be cheerful about too, particularly the impressive displays of youngsters Max Weiss and Jaydon Banel. And the confidence the Clarets showed, right from the whistle.

Perhaps this game proved once more the gulf in quality between the Championship and the Premier League. Or perhaps it's an important opportunity for Scott Parker to see what happens when you play with freedom and go out to win a game.

Or maybe that is harsh of me.

But either way, Parker should be throwing everything at the FA Cup. Because, quite frankly, we have nothing left to cheer about. The season feels gone, the league performances have been uninspiring and insipid, and Parker's technical application has been questionable.

The club wants the fans to lift their spirits and get behind the team. But we are only human and struggle to find that uplift when there is little to get enthusiastic about. A cup run and, dare I dream it, a trip to Wembley would do just that.

For now, we are in that hat for the fourth-round draw and nothing can dampen my excitement for that.

Other than a draw away at the Etihad...

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

The matches will be played over the weekend of 14 February.

• Liverpool/Barnsley v Brighton

• Stoke City v Fulham

• Oxford United v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

• Hull City v Chelsea

• Burton Albion v West Ham

• Burnley v Mansfield Town

• Grimsby Town v Wolves

• Aston Villa v Newcastle

• Manchester City v Salford City/Swindon Town

• Macclesfield v Brentford

• Birmingham City v Leeds

See the full draw

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's 5-1 win over Millwall in the third round of the FA Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: Perhaps Scott Parker should make this his first 11. They appear to want to play for Burnley, unlike some of the squad.

Graham: The Twilight Zone! Too good for The Championship, but not good enough for the Premier League. This was an excellent team performance against a very good Championship side. A more balanced team, tactical change (playing out from the back, and through midfield), and a return to form for Jaidon Anthony in a more assertive attack, all made Burnley the dominant side. Positive change but can this be carried forward in the Premier League? That's the burning question!

Dylan: Pleased to see much needed minutes for Loum Tchaouna and Jaydon Banel, with both getting a goal to boost their confidence. Hjalmar Ekdal was sublime at the back and it was great to see Ashley Barnes back scoring two. He's got the instinct to know when to shoot and when not to try.

Ron: Start Anthony and Barnes next game!

Image source, Getty Images

The 2025-26 FA Cup fourth-round draw will take place on Monday, 12 January at approximately 18:35 GMT.

Proceedings will take place before kick-off in the third-round tie between Liverpool and Barnsley at Anfield.

Former England internationals Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole will conduct the draw that will consist of 32 teams live on TNT Sports.

Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 14 February.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Non-league Macclesfield are the lowest-ranked team in the draw after beating holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 victory.

What are the ball numbers?

• 1. Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 2. Southampton

• 3. Aston Villa

• 4. Port Vale

• 5. Wigan Athletic

• 6. Ipswich Town

• 7. Wrexham

• 8. Chelsea

• 9. Manchester City

• 10. West Ham United

• 11. Brentford

• 12. Fulham

• 13. Sunderland

• 14. Liverpool or Barnsley

• 15. Burnley

• 16. Norwich City

• 17. Arsenal

• 18. Leeds United

• 19. West Bromwich Albion

• 20. Salford City or Swindon Town

• 21. Burton Albion

• 22. Grimsby Town

• 23. Hull City

• 24. Newcastle United

• 25. Oxford United

• 26. Leicester City

• 27. Birmingham City

• 28. Bristol City

• 29. Stoke City

• 30. Macclesfield

• 31. Brighton & Hove Albion

• 32. Mansfield Town

Adam Cottier
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Twelve years to the day since he joined Burnley from Brighton, Ashley Barnes scored twice as his side displayed a ruthless edge so badly lacking for them in the Premier League this season.

At the age of 36, these were his first goals since last March and his first brace in a game since a memorable derby victory over Blackburn Rovers in November 2022.

Barnes' game time is limited these days, but he offers more to Burnley than just making up the numbers - much more than that. It's the reason why they brought him back to the club a year ago after a brief stint with Norwich.

And Burnley boss Scott Parker was effusive in praise of the striker after seeing his side win for the first time since October.

In his post-match interview with me, Parker alluded to the professionalism leadership Barnes exudes as well as the help and support he offers to the coaching staff, being a player who has seen it all in the years he has been at Turf Moor.

They were not just tokens of credit from Parker; these were heartfelt words of gratitude for Barnes' presence in good times - and the more testing ones - like now.

Barnes is adored by Burnley fans. He's been a super servant to the club with plenty of standout moments in front of goal. The wily veteran was willed on to complete his hat-trick on a winter afternoon that gave Burnley some hope for the challenges ahead.

Barnes will be there through it all, on the pitch - and off it.

His goals against Millwall were a reminder of the abilities he still possesses in the twilight of his career.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Scott Parker on the dominant FA Cup win over Millwall: "I'm really pleased. It is not always easy when you face a team who are going for a play-off spot [in the Championship] but I thought we approached the game incredibly well.

"Our general demeanor was spot-on and we showed some real quality by scoring some good goals. A really good performance and one we can hopefully build on.

"We have a really tight group here, who are really together and work tirelessly. When they get an opportunity they take it and we needed to freshen it up for this game because we have had a lot of games over the Christmas period.

"The boys that came in played superbly well and it has given food for thought in terms of their performances.

"There was a lot on this game because we have been searching for a win for some time now. Getting that weight off our back was key. We understand there are levels but this was about turning up and putting in a strong performance to get the win. That is what we did.

"We take the leanings and hopefully, this young group take some confidence because it is a positive."

Did you know?

• Burnley have won each of their last three home matches in the FA Cup – their longest winning streak on home soil in the competition since a run of four between January 2009 and January 2011.

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Having won promotion from the Championship in 2024-25, Burnley have struggled in the Premier League with only three wins in 21 games, the most recent of those coming on 26 October with a 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Wolves.

When the draw was made, this looked like being a tough FA Cup third-round tie for the Clarets as they are only six places higher in football's pyramid than a Millwall side that are fifth in the Championship and pushing for promotion.

Burnley boss Scott Parker made eight changes while Lions manager Alex Neil made seven, although it was one of the Clarets most experienced players that put them ahead.

Ashley Barnes, 36, was making his first start of the season after four substitute appearances and provided a clinical finish with his first chance after fine work from the impressive pair of Jaidon Anthony and Jacob Bruun Larsen.

Parker will have been pleased with the performance of back-up goalkeeper Max Weiss, with the 21-year-old German goalkeeper, in only his third match for the club, making three saves to thwart a potential Millwall fightback.

Weiss denied Aidomo Emakhu and kept out two Liam Cooper headers before French midfielder Tchaouna doubled Burnley's lead with his second goal following his £13m move from Lazio last summer.

Goals from Anthony and a second for Barnes took Burnley four goals clear, before Banel scored at the second attempt as the Clarets hit five in front of a disappointing attendance of only 6,856.

A late consolation from Coburn denied Burnley a rare clean sheet, although the game provided some welcome relief for the Clarets in a tough campaign that has them 19th in the Premier League and eight points from safety.

Parker will be hoping his side can build on this and start to replicate this form in the league.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies