Liverpool and Chelsea are set to face off in a highly anticipated Premier League clash at Anfield this Sunday, marking the return of top-flight football after the international break.
Currently sitting at the top of the league table, Liverpool secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace just before the hiatus. In contrast, Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm, ending their last match in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.
Since taking over from Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot has made a remarkable impact, leading the team to eight wins out of nine matches. Their latest success came at Selhurst Park, where an early goal from Diogo Jota was enough to secure the win. However, that match was marred by another injury to long-time goalkeeper Alisson Becker, leaving 23-year-old debutant Vitezslav Jaros to finish the game.
While the Reds enjoyed their time at the top of the table, they could be knocked down to second if Arsenal beats Bournemouth and Manchester City wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers before their kickoff.
Still, Liverpool is focused on achieving their seventh consecutive victory across all competitions. Defensively, they've been impressive, conceding only two goals in the league so far. With just 5.2 Expected Goals (xG) against them, they’ll face a significant test against Chelsea’s attacking lineup this weekend.
On the other side, Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca has a chance to become the fifth manager in Premier League history to win his first four away games if he can stop Liverpool's momentum.
The Blues recently faced Nottingham Forest, where their match turned chaotic, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Goals from Chris Wood and Noni Madueke split the points, and the standout performances from goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels kept both teams from claiming victory.
Despite not improving their position in the table, Chelsea brings a strong offensive presence to Merseyside, boasting the second-best attacking record in the league with 16 goals just one behind Manchester City.
Maresca and Cole Palmer recently won the Manager and Player of the Month awards for September, adding to the team's confidence. However, they face a daunting challenge, as Chelsea hasn't beaten Liverpool in their last nine encounters, with their last victory against the Reds dating back to March 2021.
As the two teams prepare to meet, the stakes are high, and fans can expect an exhilarating match filled with skill and determination.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Liverpool's worst fears about Alisson have been confirmed following his early exit from the match against Crystal Palace. The Brazilian goalkeeper is now set to miss action until after the November international break. Caoimhin Kelleher will step in, having missed the victory at Selhurst Park due to illness.
Joining Alisson on the sidelines is Harvey Elliott, who is dealing with a foot fracture. There’s also been no update on Federico Chiesa's condition, but with Mohamed Salah returning early from international duty, Chiesa likely wouldn’t have started anyway.
In his press conference, manager Arne Slot mentioned that the team is facing "some issues" stemming from the international break. As a result, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some of the South American players rested at the start. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo are ready to fill in for Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz, respectively.
On Chelsea's side, the spotlight was stolen by James Ward-Prowse's comical red card during their match against Nottingham Forest. However, the Blues also face suspensions; both Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella received their fifth yellow cards of the season and will miss the clash at Anfield.
Cucurella's absence presents an opportunity for Renato Veiga, who will have the challenging task of keeping Salah in check. Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo are set to compete for Fofana's spot in the defense.
On a positive note, Reece James, who has struggled with injuries, is back in training after hurting his hamstring in pre-season and has been cleared to play. Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen appears to be fine as well, despite a scare during the international break.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
EXPERT PREDICTION
Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
Sunday’s highly anticipated match is sure to deliver on its promise, as Chelsea's dynamic attack goes up against Liverpool’s solid defense. With both teams in strong form, Liverpool may enter the clash as slight favorites but Chelsea are free-scoring at the moment and that might just help them knick a point from this game.
