Liverpool vs Chelsea : Liverpool braces itself up for what may be its most difficult test yet under Arne Slot as they play host to Chelsea in Anfield on Sunday.
The two sides have had a good start to the season with the Reds occupying the top of the table while Chelsea completes the top four alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.
Sunday’s match is expected be the thrilling as this fixture has always been, even when either of the teams had regressed in standard, fans have rarely been left with nothing to cheer when Liverpool and Chelsea.
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Liverpool eyes first big win under Arne Slot
Liverpool has won six of seven league games under Slot with their only defeat coming in Sunday’s venue against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest. Aside that blemish, it has been a perfect start to life umder their new Dutch tactician.
The Reds boast the best defensive record so far with only two goals conceded after seven Premier League games. The little worry will be their scoring rates, as they scored only five times in three home games so far.
Chelsea seek statement with Enzo Maresca
The only meeting with a fellow big six rival came on the opening weekend and albeit it ended in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Stamford Bridge, there’s a lot of optimism heading into Sunday’s match.
Chelsea has won each of their three away games in the league under Enzo Maresca, and have scored more goals on the road than anyone with ten, while only Liverpool betters their defensive record of only two goals conceded.
Liverpool vs Chelsea : Team news
Liverpool will be without both Alisson Becker and Harvey Elliott due to injuries while Federico Chiesa is still a doubt. Arne Slot will however have both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah fresh for the game after both did not feature in their respective country’s final game of the international break.
Chelsea do not have a lot of injury concerns as almost everyone is fit and available. Reece James recently returned from the sideline, although Sunday’s game might come too soon, he still may be added into the squad list for the first time this season.
They will however be without the defensive duo of Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella, who are both suspended after picking up their fifth booking of the season in the draw with Forest.
H2H
For games ending in 90 minutes, eight of the last nine meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea have ended in draws.
Liverpool has won just one of their last four home games against Chelsea, losing one.
Chelsea has won all three away Premier League games under Enzo Maresca, while Liverpool’s only loss so far has come at home.
Predicted lineup
Liverpool – Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Jota.
Chelsea – Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer; Madueke, Jackson, Sancho.
Players to watch : Ryan Gravenberch has been the man for Liverpool this season, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Dutchman fare against the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, who have established themselves as the force and face of the Chelsea mimidfield.
Cole Palmer will be the main man for Chelsea and having been kept silent in the game against Manchester City earlier in the season, Sunday present a chance to prove himself in a big game. Virgil van Dijk and co. will be waiting.
Prediction – Liverpool with the home advantage so a win for Arne Slot’s side is more probable than a Chelsea win. 2-1 to Liverpool.
