Liverpool-Burnley Preview

Burnley kick off a challenging three-match festive season schedule with a home match against Liverpool on Boxing Day and follow that with away matches at Manchester City on Dec. 28 and Newcastle United on New Year's Day.

The Clarets (3-6-8), who lost 2-1 at Tottenham on Saturday, have dropped back into the bottom three after winning just one of their last five matches in the Premier League.

Spurs took the lead at White Hart Lane midway through the first half when Harry Kane headed home Nacer Chadli's left-wing cross, before Burnley striker Ashley Barnes equalised with a 25-yard strike on 27 minutes. Argentina international Erik Lamela secured all three points for the Lilywhites 10 minutes before the break when he curled in a left-footed effort from outside the area.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche was pleased with his side's performance at Spurs despite leaving north London without a point.

"I'm proud of that today," Dyche told hid club's website. "We wanted to play an effective game and we wanted to get the ball forward quicker than we have been doing. We felt we could affect the game with that and we did.

"Our fans were terrific again today and they know we want to play on the front foot when we come to these places and we've earned the right. It's not an easy place to come and play as they've got some highly technical players that were brought in for multi millions and they've turned a corner recently with their results. But we'll debrief this and then go again because I think the fans believe and we certainly believe there is more to come."

Liverpool (6-4-7) are stuck in mid-table after winning just two of their last nine league matches. Brendan Rodgers' side drew 2-2 with Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, and it took a 97th-minute header from Martin Skrtel to rescue a draw for the Merseysiders after substitute Fabio Borini was sent off late on for two yellow cards.

Philippe Coutinho gave Liverpool the lead on the stroke of half-time with a low drive that went in off the post, only for Gunners defender Mathieu Debuchy to level the score just seconds later with a header.

France striker Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal the lead on 64 minutes against the run of play when he swept home Santi Cazorla's cross.

Liverpool continued to press forward but failed to convert a number of chances before Skrtel's stoppage-time heroics earned the Reds a deserved point.

Midfielder Adam Lallana insists the Reds can build on what he felt was a solid display against Arsenal.

"I'm thoroughly disappointed we didn't take all three points, but there was a good feeling about the whole atmosphere and the performance today - and it's been like that for the last few games," he told his club's website. "We know we've played well, so there are encouraging signs and we'll hopefully take that into the Burnley game."

After the trip to Turf Moor, the Reds have back-to-back home matches against Swansea City on Dec. 28 and last-place Leicester City on Jan. 1.

Burnley defender Michael Duff continues to struggle with a calf injury, so Michael Keane is likely to retain his place on Boxing Day.

Liverpool will have Mario Balotelli available after suspension, though fellow striker Borini is now banned after his dismissal against Arsenal.

The Reds completed a spectacular double over Burnley when they last played in the Premier League during the 2009-10 season, winning both home and away matches by the same 4-0 scoreline.