Liverpool vs Chelsea: Match Preview & Press Conference | OneFootball

The Reds host Callum McFarlane’s Chelsea this Saturday, a win that could see Liverpool make a huge step towards their Champions League qualification push. The home side will be hoping to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford the week prior, a late Kobbie Mainoo strike denied any aspirations of a second-half comeback. 

Speaking after the match at Old Trafford, Slot said: “This is a complete pattern over the whole season, but there’s also a pattern that we concede ridiculous goals when we are the better team and one or two [are] switching off, and then we concede a goal.” 

A result that now leaves Liverpool needing four points from their last three games to secure Champions League status next season. The Reds are currently sat in fourth on 58 points, six points clear of Bournemouth in sixth, who are the biggest threat in the league currently of putting any pressure on in the final games. 

Liverpool’s Interest in Adam Wharton CONFIRMED! LFC Transfer Update

The travelling side’s form as of late has been nothing to be proud of; the Blues have lost six Premier League games on the bounce, scoring 1 goal in that period. In all competitions, they have only won twice in their last ten, results that led to the sacking of Liam Rosenior.  

Chelsea are now sat in ninth place in the standings, with European football looking more unlikely by the week. They have got themselves into an FA cup final against Manchester City next weekend. Reports are suggesting that the interim manager has told his squad that they are playing for a place in the cup final squad. 

The reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge provided plenty of late drama, and a last-minute Estevao goal in a 2-1 victory secured Chelsea the three points. Enzo Maresca was the man on the touchline that day. 

In Arne Slot’s three encounters with the visitors, he has come out on top once and lost in the two most recent clashes. Their only encounter at Anfield is the occasion on which the Dutchmen’s side came out victorious. 

The Dutchmen spoke on the opposition ahead of the clash at Anfield: “Always a difficult game for both teams. A lot of very good individual players, let’s hope we have a very good team performance as well” 

“All managers have their own idea about football; they’ve had three this season. The current manager is closer to what Maresca usually did, so he has a very clear identity on how the play.” 

Liverpool’s form as of late has been very patchy. In all competitions, the Reds have won three in their last five. Points started to pick up in the league, winning three on the bounce before the defeat to Manchester United last weekend. 

Injury Updates… 

Arne Slot confirmed that Alexander Isak has returned to training as well as Giorgi Mamardashvili. 

Ibrahima Konate and Florian Wirtz are set to return to training today after both missing the previous session. 

Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah are both “very close” to returning. 

The Liverpool manager also touched on Conor Bradley: “In the rehab it is always important if some steps go well. It’s difficult in the stage he is in now to predict when he will be back.” 

“He’s still inside and working really hard but he is quite far away from going outside, that makes it quite difficult to tell” 

Predicted XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha, Gakpo, Wirtz.