Just two months after it had looked like last season's runners-up would struggle to challenge their rivals for a spot in the Champions League, Liverpool are suddenly the team to fear in the battle for a top-four place.

Brendan Rodgers has guided his side to 11 games unbeaten in the league, with eight victories coming in that run, and their improvement continued on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

The win over the champions was fully deserved, and it has quickly become clear that Rodgers has his team playing with the same style and confidence which almost clinched the title last season.

A return to form has arrived too late for another title bid, but the confidence gained by their impressive run means that a Champions League place could be there for the taking once again.

Arsenal and Manchester United currently sit third and fourth respectively, with the Gunners just three points ahead of Liverpool with 11 games remaining.

That is certainly enough time for Liverpool to reach their targets, but those games are likely to pass by very quickly for Burnley fans as the battle to avoid relegation continues.

The Clarets extended their winless run in the Premier League to six matches with a 1-0 loss to Swansea City on Saturday, and they currently sit in the relegation zone behind 17th-placed Queens Park Rangers on goal difference.

Sean Dyche's side have stuck to a positive approach throughout their campaign, and the Burnley boss is unlikely to change much as he looks to cause a shock on Merseyside.

However, the temptation to hand a start to Sam Vokes could be too great to ignore, with injury troubles preventing the Welshman from making an impact in the Premier League and allowing Ashley Barnes to earn a spot as strike partner to Danny Ings.

Liverpool's attacking duo of Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana led the way against City, and both are set to keep their place in what could be an unchanged side from Rodgers.

Steven Gerrard could return from injury, but Rodgers may be tempted to save the captain for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final with Blackburn Rovers, while Jordon Ibe has been ruled out with knee ligament damage.

Liverpool:

Form in Premier League: WWDWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Mignolet, Skrtel, Lovren, Can, Markovic, Moreno, Henderson, Allen, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling

Burnley:

Recent form: LLDLDL

Possible starting lineup: Heaton, Mee, Shackell, Keane, Trippier, Jones, Arfield, Boyd, Kightly, Vokes, Ings

Sports Mole says: 3-1