Home / Football / Liverpool vs Chelsea – Premier League Match Preview
Liverpool

Liverpool vs Chelsea – Premier League Match Preview

Without question the biggest fixture of the six on offer today takes place at Anfield as Liverpool play host to Chelsea with both teams knowing that any slim hopes of winning the title will be all but over should they end up on the losing side later this evening.

They were both in Champions League action in midweek although with contrasting fortunes, Liverpool contrived to give away a 3-0 lead at half time in Sevilla as once again they were eventually undone by a last minute goal by the team that beat them in the 2016 Europa League Final.

It was once again a draw that felt like a defeat as they managed to throw away victory when it looked almost impossible in which to do so. Once again it was the perfect example of as good as they are in attack they can be absolutely woeful at the back.

While Chelsea made the long trip to Baku to face Azerbaijani champions Qarabag and came away with a win that sees them secure top spot in Group B and in theory give them an easier draw in the Round of 16 when the competition resumes in the New Year.

They had to deal with an initial scare when Michel hit the bar early on but once Qarabag went down to 10 men and Chelsea were awarded a Penalty after Willian was pulled down in the box by the time the Belgian international Eden Hazard coolly slotted home then they never looked back.

There may have been contrasting fortunes in midweek but it was exactly the same outcomes last Saturday with both teams recording comfortable victories. Former Chelsea forward Mohamed Salah scored a brace for Liverpool in their 3-0 win over Southampton at Anfield.

The two goals from the Egyptian saw move to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with nine goals and you get the feeling he would love nothing more than to add to that tally later this evening against the club where he spent something of a forgettable stint between 2014 and 2016. A stint that also included two loan moves to Italian clubs Fiorentina and Roma.

While Livepool were making light work of Southampton at Anfield, Chelsea were doing the same against West Brom at The Hawthorns. The champions won the title there last season and this time around there was further cause for celebration as they strolled to a 4-0 win.

A result that would finally prove to be the end of Tony Pulis’ reign as Baggies boss but regardless of how bad the home side were the traveling Chelsea outfit were on scintillating form with Eden Hazard scoring a brace and Alvaro Morata grabbing a goal for himself also.

Hazard’s performance last weekend only really came to life when he was caught by a robust tackle by Gareth Barry one that failed to see a free kick given. With the 26 year old feeling rightfully aggrieved he let his anger out in the best possible way, by simply doing his talking on the pitch.

If he is at his best he could cause Liverpool’s defence some problems but it looked before Tuesday at least that their much mentioned issues at the back had been resolved. Two home clean sheets after back to back 3-0 wins and just one goal conceded in their last three league outings.

But after the capitulation in midweek there is a case that Jurgen Klopp is back to square one and that is something that Chelsea will look to advantage of. However the fact that they have traveled all the way back from Azerbaijan makes you wonder if they will have the legs in which to do so.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has already been bemoaning the fact that the club has had to travel long distance but ultimately that is the price you pay if you want to compete on multiple front, whether the Italian is getting his excuses in early remains to be seen.

The last two outings between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield have ended in a 1-1 draw, I have a feeling there may well be more goals in this and I think the Reds may just nick this one due to have the slightly longer midweek recovery time. Both teams to score but a home win for me.

Here is what social media thinks will happen – you can still vote on the outcome

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: