Liverpool are currently unbeaten in nine meetings with Chelsea, defeating them in three seperate cup finals during this period, their longest unbeaten streak in this fixture since an 11-game undefeated streak between 1985 and 1990- will that trend continue on Merseyside?
Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview
Two of the early-season front-runners go head-to-head in the Premier League's marquee, Sunday afternoon slot, so can either underline their burgeoning title aspirations with a victory? After seven rounds of games, it is Liverpool who lead the way, with Arne Slot having made a near-perfect start to life as Jürge Klopp's successor, winning nine out of ten fixtures across all competitions, that home defeat to Nottingham Forest evidently just a blip. Last time out, the Reds battled to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, Diogo Jota the match-winner at Selhurst, now targeting a seventh successive victory, although this may be the toughest test Slot has faced to date.
Enzo Maresca's side start the weekend fourth, unbeaten since the opening day, and the Blues boss was presented with the Premier League Manager of the Month award for September during the international break. A fortnight ago however, they were held to an underwhelming 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge; Noni Madueke on target during a helter-skelter, hectic clash. Prior to this, the Blues had won five games on the spin in all competitions, so are starting to build some serious momentum, although they'll certainly be tested in the coming weeks, with Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal their next three league opponents after this. In front of supporters at Anfield, Chelsea are winless in seven Premier League visits, dating back to 2014, and it would be a serious statement of intent if they were able to change that here.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played: 197
Liverpool Wins: 86. Draws: 46. Chelsea Wins: 65.
Liverpool vs Chelsea: Last 5 Meetings
25 February 2024 - Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (EFL Cup Final)
31 January 2024 - Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
13 August 2023 - Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
4 April 2023 - Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
21 January 2023 - Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Liverpool Team News
Alisson picked up a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace, meaning he will be sidelined for at least a month. In that game at Selhurst, Caoimhín Kelleher was absent through illness, meaning Vítězslav Jaroš made an unexpected debut, but the Irishman, who had a mixed international break, will be donning the gloves for this one. Elsewhere, Arne Slot's team selections have been very settled. He did rotate a bit a fortnight ago, but Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Díaz, who were both on target for their countries earlier this week, as well as Andy Robertson are all set to come back in.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Luis Díaz.
Liverpool Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Mohamed Salah was on target against Mauritania in an AFCON qualifier last Friday, his 59th international goal, still ten shy of Egypt's all-time record, held by Hossam Hassan. At club level, Salah will face a former employer here, looking to add to his seven career goals against Chelsea, three of which have come at Anfield.
Chelsea Team News
Enzo Maresca will be forced to tinker with his team because defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are both suspended, having collected five yellows each just seven games into the new season. Renato Veiga, who made his Portugal debut last weekend, is the most obvious left-back deputy. Alternitivly, Levi Colwill could shift over to that position, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi thereby coming into the heart of the backline. Further forward, it's likely to be as you were. Jadon Sancho has instantaneously earned himself a starting role, while João Félix, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Mykhailo Mudryk aren't bad options to have off the bench are they? Lastly, club captain Reece James could be amongst the substitutes for the first time this season, having seen a miserly 482 minutes of action since April 2023 due to a persistent hamstring injury.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Liverpool: (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernández, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Chelsea Players to Watch vs Liverpool
Mudryk, Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson were all scorers for their countries during the international break, but this remains Cole Palmer's team. He's already scored six Premier League goals this season, although Palmers has never previously netted in four attempts against Liverpool; now would be a good time to change that.Liverpool vs Chelsea Prediction
Victory for Liverpool would see them claim three successive wins over Chelsea, excluding penalty shootouts, for the first time in 13 years and we're forecasting this will come to pass. The Reds have been ultra-impressive this season, as have the Blues on a less consistent basis, so we're expecting Slot's side to make use of home advantage and be simply too strong: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea.
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