Liverpool vs Chelsea: Key stats, prediction… Here’s all you need to know
Liverpool and Chelsea play each other in a Premier League’s crucial match this Wednesday at Anfield. The hosts are in high spirits after defeating Norwich City 5-2 at home in the FA Cup fourth round over the weekend.
Liverpool has been playing very well this season; their last run has mostly consisted of victories and draws. They have won seven of their last ten games in all competitions while remaining undefeated.
Conversely, Chelsea’s season took a turn for the better in January, as they qualified for the EFL Cup final and put up a strong league showing. They are unbeaten in their last three Premier League visits to Liverpool and have won their last three EPL games before now.
Liverpool defeated Bournemouth 4-0 in their most recent league match, on the other hand. With the win, the Reds, who are vying for a second Premier League title, now sit atop the standings with a five-point lead after 48 games played.
Chelsea, who defeated Fulham 1-0 in their last EPL game are in ninth position, 17 points worse off.
Match draws between the two teams have been a recent occurrence. The last seven encounters between them in all competitions have resulted in draws, marking the longest run of consecutive draws in English football history. Liverpool leads the two teams in their 195 meetings, 84–65.
In his 12 managerial matches with Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino has only won once (five draws, six losses).
With eighteen wins, Chelsea holds the record for most victories against the Premier League’s top teams.
LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Egypt’s African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) campaign may have come to an end following their penalty-filled loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but their star striker, Mohamed Salah, will still be sidelined for a minimum of another two weeks due to a hamstring injury. As a result, it is anticipated that he will miss the matches against Burnley and Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Mac Allister who was left out of the squad to play Norwich after suffering a knock against Fulham in the EFL Cup. His absence was reportedly due to precautions; there have been no updates regarding his availability, and he is considered doubtful for the match at Anfield.
In addition, full-backs Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson may return to the team; the Scotsman, who has missed the last 13 league games due to a dislocated shoulder, is back in first-team training.
Wataru Endo, who is still with Japan at the Asian Cup, as well as Kostas Tsimikas (shoulder), Joël Matip (cruciate ligament), Ben Doak (knee), Thiago Alcântra (hip), and Stefan Bajčetić (calf) will not play.
On the other hand, Levi Colwill was forced out of the starting lineup for the match against Villa due to a minor injury that he sustained during the warm-up. Mauricio Pochettino has stated that Colwill was anticipated to return to training prior to the Liverpool game, so Chilwell’s return should be expected.
Malo Gusto’s (muscular) and Christopher Nkunku’s (hip) fitness are also in doubt, but Pochettino thinks both players will be able to contribute in some way at Anfield.
Trevoh Chalobah has been spotted training, but he is not anticipated to play as he struggles to get back to match fitness. Besides, there’s still a chance he could leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.
The following players will undoubtedly miss the match against Liverpool: Marc Cucurella (ankle), Wesley Fofana (cruciate ligament), Roméo Lavia (thigh) and Robert Sánchez (knee), the goalie who is expected to return to training later this week.
LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA TIME AND VENUE
Kick-off date is Friday 31st January, 2024.
Kick-off time is 9:15pm WAT
Venue is ANFIELD
Referee will be Paul Tierney
LIVERPOOL PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP
Alisson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Bradley, Jones, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Gakpo, Nunez, Jota.
CHELSEA PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP
Petrovic, Badiashile, Silva, Disasi, Gilchrist, Fernandez, Caicedo, Sterling, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer.
LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA PREDICTION
The win over Norwich created an electrifying atmosphere at Anfield, and more of the same is likely to occur. At this point, Klopp has the potential to go down in history as one of only six managers to win 200 Premier League games.
But Chelsea stands in the way, coming into their most consistent form of the year. Despite having a patchy season, the Blues have won their last three league games, which is a first for them this season.
A recurrent theme in this fixture has been draws. The last time their was a winner in normal 90 minutes time in this fixture was in March 2021. Both teams have very different motivations for aiming for three points, and this will also serve as a practice for the League Cup final the following month.
Chelsea are likely to fall behind after an early goal as Klopp’s charges pile on the pressure to inflict a loss on Chelsea to prove that the two teams are in extremely different stages of their development.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea
See also: UCL & EPL win… Klopp’s best moments as Liverpool coach
