Chelsea vs Liverpool: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch | OneFootball

Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview, Prediction and Team News

Premier League Narrative at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea and Liverpool meet this weekend in a contest that speaks as much to wider Premier League narratives as it does to three points. Both clubs arrive at Stamford Bridge carrying baggage. Chelsea emerged from a poor run by edging Benfica 1-0 in the Champions League, a match decided not by brilliance but by Richard Rios’ own goal. Liverpool, meanwhile, staggered into this fixture on the back of two successive defeats, undone at Selhurst Park and then in Istanbul by Victor Osimhen’s penalty for Galatasaray.

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Liverpool remain top of the Premier League, though the fragility of that position has rarely felt more obvious. Arne Slot has seen the sheen of early months eroded by inconsistency. Heavy investment in the squad has not yet translated into reliable rhythm, and that will only intensify scrutiny on his team selections.

Chelsea are in transition of their own, patchy in results and vulnerable to injuries, but with a chance to wound champions who look less imposing than their title suggests.

Kick-Off, Venue and Broadcast

Chelsea vs Liverpool is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, with kick-off at 5.30pm BST. The match takes place at Stamford Bridge.

Coverage begins at 5pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, while subscribers can also watch via the Sky Go app or Now TV.

Team News and Tactical Questions

Chelsea’s squad has been stretched thin. Cole Palmer remains absent, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo are sidelined, while long-term injuries keep Dario Essugo and Liam Delap out. Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro featured against Benfica but neither is fully fit, and Andrey Santos is unavailable for several weeks. Pedro’s suspension does not apply domestically, so he remains an option for this tie.

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Trevoh Chalobah’s suspension forces change at the back, with Josh Acheampong likely to step in. Romeo Lavia pushes for a first start of the season, Marc Guiu is in contention to lead the line, and young talent Estevao could earn a third consecutive start after lively recent cameos.

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For Liverpool, there is the absence of Alisson, ruled out following injury against Galatasaray. Giorgi Mamardashvili steps into goal.

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Hugo Ekitike also suffered a hamstring issue, which increases the likelihood of Alexander Isak leading the attack. Arne Slot experimented midweek, leaving Mohamed Salah out and placing Jeremie Frimpong higher up, with Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back. It failed, and so a more orthodox system is expected. Giovanni Leoni is unavailable with an ACL tear, while Florian Wirtz faces doubts after criticism of his midweek performance.

Prediction and Likely Outcome

Both teams arrive needing reassurance. Liverpool score goals but concede them too easily, and there is a pattern of surrendering leads that unsettles supporters. Chelsea are not convincing either, but they have shown resilience, grinding out results in difficult circumstances.

The contrast of fragility and defiance makes this unpredictable. Chelsea will believe Stamford Bridge can unsettle Liverpool, while the champions know they must deliver a performance that reminds rivals of their authority.

Prediction: Draw, 2-2.

Head-to-Head Record

Chelsea wins: 66Liverpool wins: 87Draws: 46