Liverpool could already have lost their place at the top of the Premier League table by the time they take to the field against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Arne Slot’s side are beginning to show signs of weakness, while the Blues picked up just their second victory in six games with a hard-fought midweek win over Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Tipped by many as dark horses for the Premier League title before the season began, Chelsea’s inconsistent start has cast doubt on those pre-season predictions. Enzo Maresca’s men have managed just two wins, two draws, and two defeats from their opening six matches.
Discipline has been a recurring issue. Last weekend, the Blues were in control against Brighton until Trevoh Chalobah’s dismissal changed the flow of the contest. Brighton took full advantage, securing a 3-1 victory with Danny Welbeck netting twice.
That result means Chelsea have picked up just one point from their last three league games after taking seven from the first nine. Sitting eighth in the table, they are already seven points adrift of the leaders and continue to suffer from a worrying injury list.
Since the start of the 2024-25 campaign, Chelsea have collected a staggering 118 cards – 114 yellow and four red – more than any other Premier League side. Even Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Benfica ended with ten men after Joao Pedro was shown red, although his late dismissal had no impact on the final score.
Maresca’s men will now look to avoid three consecutive league defeats for the first time since Frank Lampard’s return in the spring of 2023.
As for Liverpool, they are also at risk of a third straight defeat across all competitions. The reigning champions have looked far from convincing despite opening the season with five consecutive league wins.
Their first setback came last weekend when Crystal Palace earned a deserved victory, sealed by Eddie Nketiah’s dramatic late strike. That result ended Liverpool’s perfect league start, and the slump continued in midweek with a 1-0 Champions League loss to Galatasaray, courtesy of a Victor Osimhen penalty.
It marks only the second time under Slot that the Reds have lost back-to-back games. Should Arsenal beat West Ham in Saturday’s early kickoff, Liverpool will drop from the summit before they even set foot on the Stamford Bridge turf.
Their recent record in West London is another cause for concern. The Reds have failed to win on their last four Premier League visits to Chelsea, including last season’s 3-1 defeat, though that came after they had already sealed the title and eased off the pace.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Pedro’s red card in the Champions League won’t affect his availability for this weekend, but Chelsea will be without Trevoh Chalobah, who serves a domestic suspension after his sending-off against Brighton.
He’s not the only absentee for Enzo Maresca. Mykhaylo Mudryk is also suspended, while injuries continue to pile up with Dario Essugo (thigh), Tosin Adarabioyo (calf), Cole Palmer (groin), Liam Delap (thigh), and Levi Colwill (knee) all sidelined. Wesley Fofana and Andrey Santos are also nursing knocks, though their situations remain uncertain. Maresca admitted in his press conference that “seven or eight players” would be missing, without going into detail on Fofana or Santos.
If Fofana fails to clear concussion protocol, 17-year-old Josh Acheampong could be asked to fill in at centre-back. That might see him paired with fellow teenager Jorrel Hato, depending on whether Benoit Badiashile is deemed fit enough to start again so soon after playing in midweek.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have been more fortunate with injuries overall, but their midweek defeat to Galatasaray came at a cost. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker picked up a groin issue and has been ruled out by Arne Slot. Hugo Ekitike also limped off with a thigh concern, though the Frenchman has a chance of recovering in time.
If Ekitike doesn’t make it, Alexander Isak is expected to lead the line once again, and he’ll be looking to score at Stamford Bridge for a third straight season. Slot may also have Federico Chiesa back from a minor knock, but Giovanni Leoni remains a long-term absentee with an ACL injury.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Neto; Pedro
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak
EXPERT PREDICTION
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
