Liverpool vs Chelsea – Match Preview and Team News | OneFootball

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield this Sunday, with Arne Slot’s side seeking to maintain their status as Premier League leaders.

There were new faces in both dugouts at the start of the season and both managers have acclimatised to the Premier League quickly. Slot has won nine of his first 10 games in charge in a record-breaking start for a Liverpool manager, while Maresca has won each of his first three away games.

Liverpool will have to deal without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson after the Brazilian sustained a hamstring injury at Crystal Palace before the international break.

For Chelsea, it is good news on the selection front with club captain Reece James having returned to training following another spell out.

This game will come too soon for the right-back, but Enzo Maresca will be delighted a comeback is near for James, who has been plagued by injuries.

Liverpool vs Chelsea – Match Preview and Team News

Form

Liverpool: WWWWW

Arne Slot’s start to managerial life in English football has been almost flawless with the Dutchman having won all but one of his ten games in charge.

That single defeat was a 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, but since then the Merseyside club have responded.

The Reds have beaten two Serie A outfits in the Champions League, in AC Milan and Bologna, progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after thrashing West Ham, and earned away wins at Wolves and Crystal Palace in the league.

However, the next few weeks will prove a test of Slot’s side’s credentials. Their busy schedule includes clashes with the likes of Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and of course, Chelsea this weekend.

Chelsea: WWWWD

Enzo Maresca has silenced some of his critics and evoked change in a Chelsea side that has struggled over the last couple of years.

Like Liverpool, Chelsea have lost just one league game, which came on the opening weekend against Manchester City.

Maresca has introduced a level of stability around the squad and the depth he has at his disposal has seen the West Londoners emerge as top-four contenders.

Before the international break, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge by Nottingham Forest, despite the visitors playing with ten men for the last quarter of an hour.

They will be hoping for a response with a positive result at Anfield, but they will have to be much improved if they are to return to the capital with something.

Last Meeting: Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool, Carabao Cup, 25th February 2024.

Wembley Stadium was the venue for their last encounter, as an inexperienced Liverpool team beat Chelsea to lift the Carabao Cup.

The Reds had 10 senior players unavailable for the cup final but still prevailed in dramatic fashion.

Virgil van Dijk headed in the decisive goal in the 118th minute to overcome Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the dying embers.

Caoimhin Kelleher, who was deputising for the injured Alisson, put in a virtuoso performance to keep Chelsea at bay as the Irishman repeatedly pulled off important saves.

Raheem Sterling thought he had opened the scoring against his former club in the first period but Nicolas Jackson was adjudged marginally offside in the build-up.

Cody Gakpo was then inches away from finding the net but his deft header grazed Djordje Petrovic’s post.

With legs tiring, Liverpool snatched a late winner and held firm to win the League Cup for a record-extending 10th time.

It was a memorable trophy win for Jurgen Klopp, the German’s final piece of silverware with the Merseyside club.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Gakpo.

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Who is the referee?

John Brooks is the match official. He will be assisted by Simon Bennett and Darren Cann while Craig Pawson will be the fourth official. The VAR is Michael Oliver and he will be assisted by Stuart Burt.

What channel is Liverpool vs Chelsea on?

Liverpool vs Chelsea will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Ultra and Sky Go UK.

What time is kick off?

Kick-off at Anfield will be at 16:30 BST on Sunday 20th October 2024.

Odds

Liverpool – 3/5

Draw – 7/2

Chelsea – 15/4

Read – Seven of the greatest moments in the Chelsea-Liverpool rivalry

See more – The Premier League teams with the most red cards so far in 2024/25

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