Liverpool host Chelsea in a heavyweight Premier League clash on Saturday, as the Reds look to bounce back from their midweek capitulation in Seville.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Saturday, November 25, 2017 — 5:30pm (GMT)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Michael Oliver
Just when Liverpool appeared to be hitting some form, they go and capitulate away to Sevilla.
The 3-3 draw was actually far from a bad result in the grand scheme of things, but to surrender a three-goal lead in such limp fashion raised concerns about the mental strength of this side.
This weekend’s visit of Chelsea is the perfect opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to get a response out of his players, as they search for a fourth league win in a row.
Under the lights with a 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday, the atmosphere should be better than usual and any fixture that pits the Reds against the Blues carries significance.
With Man City in danger of running away with the title, a top-four finish looks to be the next best thing and Liverpool and Chelsea will be right in the mix.
Klopp’s men have disappointed in the big games so far this season – a complete contrast to 2017/18 – with City and Spurs both dispatching them comfortably, and Arsenal the only rival defeated in four attempts since August.
That needs to change on Saturday evening, although Liverpool will have their work cut out against the reigning champions. They have found their groove again under Antonio Conte and are exceptionally well-organised.
Don’t expect this to be an aesthetically-pleasing affair, but you can bank on it being a nervy night where fine margins separate the two sides.
Last meeting: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Team News
Adam Lallana could be on the bench for the first time this season, but Klopp was fairly cagey about when he would return.
Joel Matip is back in training and will surely replace Ragnar Klavan or even Dejan Lovren. Emre Can is a doubt with a muscle problem.
Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino should all start – Salah will be raring to go against his former club – although the latter duo looked jaded in the second-half against Sevilla.
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is an option, should one of them miss out, and Daniel Sturridge and Dominic Solanke are also waiting in the wings.
Not too many changes in personnel are on the cards, but Simon Mignolet will come back in for Loris Karius.
Chelsea have no injury problems at all – a luxury they were also afforded last season, on their way to a fifth Premier League title.
Last 5 at home to Chelsea (All Competitions)
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea – January 31, 2017 (Wijnaldum; Luiz)
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea – May 11, 2016 (Benteke; Hazard)
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea – January 20, 2015 (Sterling; Hazard pen)
Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea – November 8, 2014 (Can; Cahill, Costa)
Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea – April 27, 2014 (Ba, Willian)
Form
Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)
Drew 3-3 vs. Sevilla
Won 3-0 vs. Southampton
Won 4-1 vs. West Ham
Won 3-0 vs. Maribor
Won 3-0 vs. Huddersfield
Chelsea – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 4-0 vs. Qarabag
Won 4-0 vs. West Brom
Won 1-0 vs. Man United
Lost 3-0 vs. Roma
Won 1-0 vs. Bournemouth
Did You Know?
Liverpool have only won two of their last 12 meetings with Chelsea – one of those came just three days after their 2012 FA Cup final meeting, which the Blues were victorious in.
Chelsea are also unbeaten in their last six trips to Anfield, with that aforementioned 4-1 win in 2012 the last time the Reds tasted success over them on Merseyside.
Klopp’s View
In his pre-match press conference at Melwood on Friday, Klopp stuck up for Alberto Moreno following the Spaniard’s error-strewn showing against Sevilla:
“You cannot change it after, you have to deal with it—in this world especially,” Klopp said.
“In this case I had to talk, of course, to Alberto. I’m really happy about his shape, his performance [this season]. In this game it was my responsibility to do different things.
“It was difficult in Sevilla, all the circumstances, [people] talking to him like a family member. He left there, a lot of people are still there that he knows well.
“It was one, two, three percent of concentration [lost]. That’s how it started.
“My response would have been to think about the lineup, or change, or change earlier. It’s not the player to blame. I’m 100 percent responsible for that.”
TV & Live Blog Info
The match is live on BT Sport 1 from 5pm (GMT), with kick-off at 5:30pm.
As always, our matchday live blog will be keeping you up to date both before and during the game, with coverage starting at 4:45pm.
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