Chelsea v Liverpool: Preview

by Joel Lefevre

Needing a win to assure they remain on top of the Premier League table, Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge for a date with Chelsea on Saturday.

Last weekend, the Reds were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace, putting just two points clear of Arsenal for first, while Chelsea are eighth following a 3-1 defeat versus Brighton & Hove Albion.

Match Preview

Things have a way of evening out in a lengthy campaign, and Liverpool are experiencing that both in the league and in Europe at the moment.

After winning seven consecutive matches across all competitions many by the skin of their teeth, they have lost two in a row, netting just a single goal combined in defeats to Palace and Galatasaray (1-0) in the Champions League.

Arne Slot has never suffered successive defeat in his Premier League career as a manager, though three of his five losses in this competition have come against London-based clubs.

This team have lost their last three league matches played in London, and this weekend could equal their longest top-flight losing run in the British capital since October 2009 to November 2010 (four games).

Liverpool have conceded multiple goals in four of their previous five Premier League away matches, including a 3-1 defeat in their last visit to Chelsea in early May.

A defeat this weekend would give them five domestically in 2025, one more than they suffered the entire previous year in this competition.

After a solid start to the season, Chelsea have regressed over the past few weeks, currently on a three-match winless run in league play.

 Enzo Maresca could suffer three successive Premier League defeats on Saturday, the most for the Italian since taking charge of this team ahead of the 2024-25 season.

 The reigning Club World Cup champions gave up as many goals on matchday six (three) as they had in their previous six league fixtures at home before that.

 With just eight points from six matches, they have accumulated five fewer points than they had at this same stage of the previous domestic campaign.

On Saturday, the Blues have a chance to claim consecutive top-flight victories over the Reds for the first time since winning three in a row against them from December 2013 to November of the following year.

Chelsea have lost four of their previous five Premier League home games versus reigning EPL champions, but are unbeaten in four consecutive matches against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in this competition.

Team News

There are some injury concerns for the Reds heading into this contest, with Alisson taken off early in the second half of their Champions League clash on Tuesday, with Slot saying it’s a “99.9 percent” chance he won’t play.

There are doubts about Hugo Ekitiké, who was suspended in their match against Crystal Palace and got hurt reaching for a ball forward in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, a hamstring strain kept Stefan Bajcetic on the sidelines last week, while Giovanni Leoni sat out with a knock.

Federico Chiesa had the only goal in their defeat to Palace, giving him two on the season, two more than he managed in the previous campaign.

As for Chelsea, Andrey Santos suffered a knock last week, Wesley Fofana sat out due to a concussion, Tosin Adarabioyo had a calf strain, and Cole Palmer was sidelined because of a groin injury.

Also out were Dário Essugo with a sore thigh, Liam Delap with a hamstring problem, and Levi Colwill, who had a knee issue.

Trevoh Chalobah was given a straight red card early in the second half against Brighton, while Joao Pedro is eligible to play despite being sent off in their 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League.

Enzo Fernandez had the lone Chelsea goal last weekend, only for the Blues to concede three in the latter stage, two in second-half stoppage time.

Predicted XI's

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konaté, van Dijk, Kerkez;Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak

Chelsea: Sánchez; James, Badiashile, Hato, Cucurella; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez; Estêvao, Pedro, Neto