Premier League | Gameweek 8

Oct 20, 2024 at 4.30pm UK

Anfield

Liverpool vs Chelsea

Match preview

Records have been falling at the feet of Liverpool head coach Arne Slot since the Dutchman stepped into Jurgen Klopp's huge shoes, and the former Feyenoord boss oversaw his eighth win in nine games in charge at Selhurst Park two weekends ago.

An early strike from Diogo Jota proved the difference on that occasion, but the result was partially overshadowed by another serious injury to first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with 23-year-old debutant Vitezslav Jaros stepping up between the sticks to secure a narrow victory.

While that success ensured the Reds would remain at the top of the table for a fortnight, they could drop to second on Saturday if Arsenal beat Bournemouth, and Manchester City's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at 2pm on Sunday would drop them to bronze before kick-off.

Slot and co will not be dwelling on such hypotheticals, however, as Liverpool are chasing a seventh win of the tournament and the Reds' defensive foundations remain as solid as ever, with just two goals conceded in the current Premier League campaign.

Furthermore, Liverpool's seven top-flight outings this term have seen the Merseyside giants concede just 5.2 expected goals (xG), but the Reds' defensive mettle will be put to the test by their goal-hungry visitors on Sunday.

Having become just the fourth manager in Premier League history to win each of his first four away games in the competition, his counterpart Enzo Maresca can become the fifth member of that exclusive club by halting Liverpool's momentum this weekend.

The Blues could have been forgiven for looking to Nottingham Forest - Liverpool's only conquerors this season - for tips on how to beat Slot's side a fortnight ago, but instead their enthralling encounter with the Tricky Trees descended into chaos over 105 unmissable minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Goals from Chris Wood and Noni Madueke saw Chelsea's five-game winning streak come to an end, but the day belonged to the men in gloves, as Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels - the last line of defence for a 10-man Forest side - pulled off a series of wonderful stops to secure a point for their teams.

Even a win for Chelsea would not have improved their fourth-placed position in the Premier League, but the Blues arrive on Merseyside with the second-best attacking record in the division, their 16 goals behind only Manchester City's 17.

Maresca and Cole Palmer's double of September's Manager and Player of the Month awards means the visitors have won each of their opening four away games of a top-flight season for the first time since 2008-09, but a nine-game winless run against Liverpool, who have not lost to the Blues since March 2021, does not help their cause.

Recent Performance

Liverpool Premier League form:WWLWWW

Liverpool form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Chelsea Premier League form:WDWWWD

Chelsea form (all competitions):WWWWWD

Injuries and suspensions

Liverpool

1 Alisson

19 Harvey Elliott

Chelsea

29 Wesley Fofana

3 Marc Cucurella

Possible starting lineups

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson