There are few higher emotions than understanding a world break is over, which means Liverpool’s return is imminent – however Chelsea will probably be out to spoil our Sunday at Anfield.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Premier League (8) | AnfieldOctober 20, 2024 | 4.30pm (BST)
Premier League motion is again on the agenda, and the Reds wouldn’t have time to ease themselves again in as fourth-placed Chelsea await.
It’s a battle of two new managers within the prime flight with Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca going face to face.
Right here is the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know forward of kickoff.
1. Alisson OUT, Kelleher IN
It was confirmed in the course of the break that Alisson won’t return to motion till after the November worldwide break, which means Caoimhin Kelleher steps into the No. 1 position as soon as once more.
That is the second time the Brazilian has been sidelined with a hamstring harm this season.
Forward of the match, Slot conceded that his facet returned from the break with “a number of points,” which included sickness for Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas – and the latter was not pictured in coaching.
Alexis Mac Allister needed to handle his adductor subject and was not noticed throughout Friday’s coaching session, neither was Federico Chiesa.
Harvey Elliott, in the meantime, had been concentrating on a return from a fractured foot towards Chelsea however will want extra time to be able to mark his return.
2. Two suspended defenders for Chelsea
Maresca will probably be with out each Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for the journey to Anfield, with the pair serving a one-match ban having already reached the 5 yellow card threshold.
The duo have began each league recreation, which means Tosin Adarabioyo or Axel Disasi will get their likelihood at centre-back whereas Renato Veiga is anticipated to get the matchup towards Mo Salah.
Reece James is again in coaching and accessible for choice however, having but to play any aggressive minutes this season, a return towards Liverpool seems most unlikely.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
3. 1st meets 4th
Simply 4 factors separate the 2 groups within the league desk heading into this conflict.
Liverpool have 18 factors to their title and have conceded simply two throughout their seven video games. Chelsea, conversely, have scored 16 however conceded eight.
Maresca’s males have gained all three video games on the street up to now, solely the Reds have a greater report, and in accordance with FotMob, Chelsea have created the second-most massive probabilities this season (27).
Slot’s facet additionally tops that rating, which units us up for an entertaining match at Anfield.
Type (in all competitions)
Liverpool (most up-to-date L-R): W, W, W, W, WChelsea: D, W, W, W, W
4. Rail journey warning
Followers are being urged to plan their journey prematurely for the day of the sport and discover various routes if they’re contemplating utilizing the prepare strains.
Deliberate main engineering work ensures Liverpool Lime Avenue Station will probably be closed for all the day, most companies into town are being changed by buses from Crewe which is able to lengthen the journey.
You could find extra data right here.
5. How might Liverpool line up?
Slot has a number of gamers who’re unsure to function, however you anticipate he’ll flip to as near his greatest XI as potential towards the Blues.
Kelleher is the apparent inclusion, with Mac Allister a shoo-in ought to he get the nod to start out.
Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo might give the Liverpool boss one thing to consider if he’d choose brisker legs, however the duo usually tend to be choices off the bench.
Predicted Reds XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz.
6. Hazard males
Liverpool may cause Chelsea loads of points at Anfield, however Slot’s facet must maintain an in depth eye on Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke.
The pair have mixed for 11 objectives in all competitions and in accordance with Opta, have created 15 probabilities for each other within the Premier League this season, essentially the most of any duo.
Palmer is likely one of the most in-form gamers within the prime flight and he has straight contributed to 44 league objectives for the reason that begin of final season, greater than another participant.
Slot has been ready for his facet to be examined, and he’ll get his want.
7. Slot’s verdict on Van Dijk criticism
Talking forward of the fixture, Slot addressed the criticism Virgil van Dijk confronted from the Dutch media after returning to Liverpool early in the course of the break:
“I don’t assume he deserves this, as a result of he performed some superb video games for the Dutch nationwide workforce in his previous couple of video games as nicely. However that’s not a shock for me.
“Is it a shock that he will get criticism? Sure it’s. Perhaps not by the Dutch media, however usually I might say that’s a shock.
“As a result of if you’re on this schedule, on this fixture record, it’s utterly regular that you’ve got a number of days off.
“Another gamers in Holland, which you most likely don’t know, didn’t come as a result of they have been drained.
“How on earth you’ll be able to criticise a participant that’s performed each recreation for us and performed the Euros…that’s Dutch media!”
8. Diaz enjoys giving the blues to Chelsea
Luis Diaz has been a thorn in Chelsea‘s facet in latest instances and he can obtain a report on Sunday that even Salah has not but managed.
Ought to he rating on Sunday, he’ll turn out to be the primary Liverpool participant since Ian Rush in 1990 to attain in three successive league video games towards Chelsea.
Liverpool’s No. 7 has not scored for the membership since his brace towards Bournemouth however now can be an excellent time so as to add to his tally and ship the Blues again to London empty-handed.
9. Referee: John Brooks
John Brooks is in control of the Anfield conflict, will probably be the primary time he has refereed a Liverpool recreation for the reason that 4-3 loss to Man United within the FA Cup quarter-finals final season – a recreation none of us care to recollect.
In complete, he has been in control of six Reds fixtures prior to now, leading to three wins, a draw and two defeats – he was the one to indicate Virgil van Dijk a purple card at Newcastle.
Simon Bennett and Darren Cann are his assistants at Anfield, whereas Craig Pawson will function as fourth official.
Michael Oliver will probably be at Stockley Park as lead VAR, assisted by Stuart Burt.
10. How one can observe the match with TIA!
Liverpool vs. Chelsea will probably be proven dwell on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion and Sky Sports activities Premier League within the UK, with protection to get underway at 4pm (BST).
But when you don’t fancy listening to the bizarre noises Gary Neville makes, you’ll be able to observe our matchday liveblog with Harry McMullen from 3.45pm.
Three factors, please!
