Premier League football is back with a bang as Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Sunday in this mouth-watering encounter. The Reds sit at the top of the league going into this one, courtesy of their narrow win over Crystal Palace, while Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest last time out.
Match Preview:
Since taking over the reins from Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been breaking records and guiding the team to an impressive run of form. The Dutch boss oversaw his eighth victory in nine games with a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace, secured by an early strike from Diogo Jota. But the outing did see Alisson Becker get injured in a speculation he would be out for a lengthy period, hence leaving an absolute void at the back as young Vitezslav Jaros made his debut in goal.
Resting atop of the Premier League table, Liverpool can see that position in jeopardy prior to kickoff. A win for Arsenal over Bournemouth on Saturday could result in them leapfrogging their opponents, while Sundays afternoon matchup between Manchester City and Wolves may also produce a result that sends the Reds down into third. But if anything was to enliven Slots’ side, then they will be ready to keep up their unbeaten run with a seventh successive victory in all competitions. Liverpool’s defense has been rock-solid, with only two goals conceded in the league so far; they boast one of the best defensive records with only 5.2 Expected Goals conceded.
Their opponents, Chelsea, enter the match in fine fettle but have a mountain to climb. Enzo Maresca’s side has the league’s second-best attacking record, having netted 16 goals-only one less than Manchester City. Chelsea’s run of five successive victories closed with a crazy 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, where the goalkeeping heroics of Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels were on full view.
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the table and are a good result away from history, as they could win their first four away games in a Premier League season for the first time since 2008-09. However, that daunting nine-match winless streak against Liverpool, who haven’t lost to Chelsea since March 2021, does indeed cast a shadow over their ambitions.
Team News:
Their worst fears concerning Alisson then came true as he picked up an injury against Crystal Palace and the Brazilian goalkeeper is unlikely to return until after the November international break. Caoimhin Kelleher, who missed the Palace game through illness, is likely to stand in for him. Harvey Elliott won’t feature with a fractured foot. Federico Chiesa is a doubt after working his way back from injury. Slot hinted at some fitness concerns following the international break, meaning the likes of South American stars Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz could be rested – although Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo are ready to step into the breach.
Chelsea will be without defenders Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella as both players are suspended after picking up their fifth yellow cards of the season. The squad will likely replace Cucurella with Renato Veiga to have the tough job of marking Mohamed Salah, and Axel Disasi or Tosin Adarabioyo for Fofana in centre-back. On a more positive note, Reece James has finally regained complete fitness after a hamstring injury and will be ready for selection, as well as goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen after fears over an international break injury.
Predicted Lineups:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Prediction
Given Liverpool’s strong defenders and the home advantage, they are favored to win this match, but Chelsea’s attacking trio can never be underestimated. Be prepared for a much-contested game, perhaps which Liverpool might try to win to keep their position at the top intact.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
