Liverpool’s first home game of the season sees rivals Chelsea on Merseyside as the Reds and Blues match up for an incredible 17th time in a little over three years.
Managers Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho joined their respective clubs in the same summer of 2004 and have both enjoyed success in their first three seasons but largely in different ways. Benitez has brought cup success with the Champions League win in 2005, FA Cup victory in 2006 and another European Final in 2007 and the Spaniard has enjoyed the upper hand over Mourinho in Cup competitions with the two Champions League semi final wins and the FA Cup semi final victory in 2006.
But Mourinho has enjoyed domestic supremacy with the two Premiership title successes in his first two seasons and more victories in the League over the Reds. Two seasons ago Didier Drogba was the inspiration as Chelsea inflicted a painful 4-1 defeat at Anfield, but back in January the home side enjoyed their first League over a Mourinho side.
Jermaine Pennant and Dirk Kuyt scored the goals in the 2-0 win against a Chelsea team without influential captain John Terry – but he will return for the Blues this Sunday.
Chelsea will be without defender Ricardo Carvalho though who picked up an injury in their win at Reading on Wednesday.
Kick off is 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK.
