Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview
By: Olumide Akinyemi (Onside Footy Chief Editor) Twitter: OluWenzo Instagram: olu_herodotus
Unbeaten since that opening day defeat to Champions Man City, 11 Points from the 15 available in their last 5 Premier League matches, 4th on the table and no major injuries according to Maresca in his press conference yesterday. Life is certainly better over there at Stamford Bridge with the early season negativity disappearing in recent weeks.
Somehow Chelsea’s Italian manager has not only found a way to trim down his early season over bloated squad but also string together a couple results that has got both fans and pundits believing the club can have a decent season after all.
This time last year under Pochettino, Chelsea have already lost thrice, conceded seven goals while scoring only 6 putting them 11th on the log, this season with same number of games they are 4th and have already scored 16 goals under Maresca. It might be too early to call this a sign of progress but fans would be forgiven to think that things are now certainly better at Stamford Bridge but question marks will remain especially looking at the quality of those opponents Chelsea have faced (no disrespect to West Ham and co) but certainly a trip to Anfield will be the toughest test Enzo Maresca will face since that opening date defeat to Guardiola’s City side.
Last time his side were in Premier League action against Forest, it was end to end with a sense that Forest might have even stolen all 3 points at Stamford Bridge despite being a man down for most of the second half.
That particular performance sums up Chelsea this season; the ability for opponents to hurt them when they lose control occasionally albeit there’s a sense that the more time Maresca spends with this team, the more chances he has of ironing out their defensive frailties and occasional lapses which could be costly against a side like Liverpool.
But in star man Cole Palmer, Chelsea have a formidable goal threat to worry Arne Slot’s Liverpool who have only conceded two goals all season, Palmer has carried on where he left off last season with this goal contributions eclipsing players such as Haaland and Salah. In a stadium like Anfield which is a difficult place for any opponent and a fixture Chelsea have not won since 2021, the Blues will need their England man to deliver the kind of performance that put the likes of Brighton to the sword.
Easier said than done though with Liverpool having a player like Ryan Gravenberch who will be expected to nullify Palmer’s threat, the Netherlands international has locked down the No. 6 spot under Arne Slot and has thanked his coach for his upturn in form. Palmer, however, could prove to be one of his toughest assignments so far.
Liverpool have silenced doubters by sitting atop the Premier League table after 7 matches, Arne Slot has tweaked a team still brimming with Jurgen Klopp’s signing to taking advantage of the battle between Arsenal and City to become the league leaders and the Dutchman will be hoping to stay there with another victory over Chelsea in their first fixture after the last international break but Liverpool will also remember that their first defeat this season came right after the international break to Nottingham Forest and will hope to avoid a repeat against an in-form Chelsea.
Chelsea have struggled in the Premier League since the club was taken over by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022, finishing 12th and sixth in the past two seasons, resulting in four manager exits.
Might be too early to call but Chelsea seems like they may be back to properly challenge for Champions League qualification yet again only time will tell but a win against Liverpool could do a lot to prove the club is headed on the right track and the type of victory that could help change the narrative around the club, which has for so long been dominated by a sense of mismanagement and a flood of transfer activity.
For Liverpool, a victory against Chelsea will cement the belief that the club are still the third-choice favourite behind City and Arsenal (of course) to reclaim the Premier League title they last lifted in 2020.
Team News:
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool have several absentees through injury, goalkeeper Alisson Becker is still unavailable after being ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Harvey Elliott and summer signing Federico Chiesa are also out.
CHELSEA
Chelsea have a clean bill of health with manager Enzo Maresca confirming yesterday that captain Reece James has returned to full training and is available for the trip to Anfield. The 24-year-old defender has not played this season after suffering a hamstring injury in preseason.
However, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana will miss the match through suspension after they both collected their fifth yellow cards of the season against Nottingham Forest before the international break.
PREDICTION
It will be a statement win if Chelsea were to leave Anfield with all 3 points but Liverpool are not top of the league this season by accident. Arne Slot have re-molded this team in his own style; solid in midfield and obdurate at the back.
It will be close and surely Chelsea will score but Liverpool will edge this one.
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1
What do you think the scoreline will be? Share your predictions below!