Liverpool vs Chelsea: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield for a blockbuster Premier League clash on Saturday.
Following their 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in October, the Blues are looking to complete the league double over the Reds for the first time since 2013/14.
Match preview
Liverpool’s run of three consecutive Premier League victories was halted by a 3-2 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, a result that also confirmed Champions League football for the Red Devils.
United made a flying start and took the lead in the 6th minute through Matheus Cunha, who fired home from close range after Liverpool failed to clear their lines from a corner.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 14th minute when Benjamin Sesko forced the ball home from close range after Bruno Fernandes’ dangerous delivery caused confusion in the Liverpool box.
The Reds responded immediately after the restart and pulled one back in the 47th minute through Dominik Szoboszlai. The midfielder capitalised on a misplaced pass from Amad Diallo before drilling a low effort beyond Senne Lammens.
Arne Slot’s side completed the comeback in the 56th minute as Cody Gakpo equalised after punishing another defensive error, calmly finishing past Lammens to make it 2-2.
However, United retook the lead in the 77th minute through Kobbie Mainoo. The Englishman produced a superb strike from outside the area to restore the Red Devils’ advantage and ultimately seal all three points.
Liverpool currently sit fourth in the Premier League standings with 58 points and could confirm their place in next season’s Champions League by beating Chelsea, provided Bournemouth drop points at Fulham.
The Reds have lost their last two Premier League games against Chelsea, as many as they had in their previous 20 (W8, D10). They last lost three in a row against the Blues between December 2013 and November 2014.
Chelsea slumped to a sixth straight league defeat after suffering a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest in their last outing, which ended their top-five hopes.
Joao Pedro’s 93rd-minute acrobatic goal against the Tricky Trees snapped the Blues’ five-game Premier League scoreless run.
Calum McFarlane’s side sit ninth on the table with 48 points and are mathematically out of top-five contention.
Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League rest on Aston Villa finishing inside the top five and lifting the Europa League trophy, while the Blues must secure sixth place.
Despite their struggles this season, the West Londoners still have the chance to secure silverware when they face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 16.
Team news
Liverpool will be without Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley due to injuries.
While Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Ibrahima Konate, Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili are doubts.
Chelsea will be without 18-year-old Jesse Derry and Robert Sanchez after both players picked up head injuries during the defeat to Forest.
They join Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian in the visitors’ infirmary.
McFarlane also confirmed that Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are doubtful.
Predicted line-ups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Woodman, Jones, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Frimpong, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Gakpo.
Chelsea (4-3-1-2): Jorgensen, James, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella, Santos, Caicedo, Lavia, Fernandez, Joao Pedro, Delap.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea.
