I’m sure it’s selective memory, but it feels like ages since such an important match took place in August. There’s no such thing as a title deciding match in the first month of the season, but this very much is as close as you get.
The Premier League features a high-profile fixture this weekend as Liverpool lock horns with Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday. The two English giants are yet to drop points in the Premier League and will be looking to maintain their perfect record this weekend.
The Merseyside outfit eased past Burnley last weekend and will relish facing a more formidable opponent on Saturday.
Chelsea, on the hand eased past arch-rivals Arsenal in their previous game and will want a similar result against Liverpool.
Liverpool vs Chelsea- Team News
Liverpool
Scotland international Andrew Robertson will be in contention after making the substitutes bench last weekend
Fabinho is back from compassionate leave following the death of his father and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also after the birth of his first child. James Milner (knock) will miss out.
Chelsea
N’Golo Kante will be available at Anfield after the midfielder made his first Premier League appearance of the season from the bench at Arsenal last weekend.
Hakim Ziyech also returned from a shoulder injury as a substitute at Emirates Stadium, while Christian Pulisic was absent following a positive COVID-19 result.
Liverpool VS Chelsea-Possible Lineups
Liverpool Possible Lineup(4-3-3):Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane
Chelsea Possible Lineup(3-4-3):Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Havertz; Lukaku
Liverpool VS Chelsea – Key Players
Liverpool – Jota
The former Wolves player was a revelation last season, hitting the ground early after his £41 move to the Meyseside. He scored 13 times last season despite missing a big chunk of the campaign and will be looking to add to his goal tally when they meet Chelsea on Saturday.
Opta stats :
- Diogo Jota has scored in both of Liverpool’s Premier League games so far this season, and could become the fourth player to score in each of the Reds’ first three games to a Premier League campaign after Robbie Fowler (1994-95), Daniel Sturridge (2013-14) and Sadio Mané (2017-18).
Chelsea – Romelu Lukaku
The Blues’ new signing Romelu Lukaku found the back of the net against Arsenal last weekend and will be a massive threat in the final third against one of the best defender in EPL.
Many spectators and fans of football are looking forward to that battle. “Van Dijk against Lukaku”, and whether Chelsea will come out with point (s) at Anfield depends solely on their new talisman.
Liverpool vs Chelsea – Prediction
A proper game. Two legitimate title contenders going at it – who will come out victorious?
Both sides have been flawless so far, picking up six points without really hitting top gear and neither Liverpool nor Chelsea have conceded a goal in the combined four matches they’ve played so far, but their defensive solidity will be put to the ultimate test on Saturday evening.
With the fixture set to be played in front of the boisterous crowd at Anfield will likely give Liverpool slightly edge above their counterpart in a close and tough encounter.
Liverpool 2 : 1 Chelsea
Possible Goalscorers : Mane, Jota ; Lukaku