Liverpool vs. Chelsea Predictions, Lineups, Tactics, Team News, and Key Statistics
Tday, Liverpool will face Chelsea in the Premier League, with both teams eager for a win.
Liverpool were defeated 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium last weekend, and they must win all three points against Chelsea to keep their prospects of finishing in the top four alive.
With only 28 points from 18 league games, the home team is presently ninth in the table. And Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for a huge performance from his troops against Chelsea this week.
The FA Cup win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek will have given them some much-needed confidence boost heading into this game. On the other hand, it has been a similar situation with Chelsea who are tenth in the standings, with 28 points after 19 league matches.
This is a must-win game for both sides, and it remains to be seen who comes out on top. The Hard Tackle examines the Premier League clash before of the latest meeting between the two sides.
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Due to injury, the home team will be missing Arthur Melo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Virgil van Dijk. Roberto Firmino is still doubtful due to a knock, and Kostas Tsimikas suffered an injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers and will most certainly miss out today.
Darwin Nunez’s return will be welcomed by Jurgen Klopp. The Uruguayan striker has recovered from a hamstring injury and will most likely return to the squad after missing the previous match gainst Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolves.
Alisson Becker will start in goal, flanked by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, and Andrew Robertson. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson will be required to contribute creatively and defensively from wide areas.
Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson are anticipated to start in midfield with Fabinho. The Brazilian international will anchor the midfield and disrupt the opposition’s play, while Thiago and Henderson will bring creativity and drive from the center of the field.
Following Nunez’s comeback, the front three pretty much chooses itself. The Uruguayan striker will spearhead Liverpool’s attack against Chelsea, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo operating as wide attackers in a 4-3-3 formation.
Potential Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
Denis Zakaria, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, Armando Broja, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, Edouard Mendy, and Christian Pulisic are all out with injuries for the Blues.
Joao Felix, who joined the club in January, was sent off against Fulham and will now be suspended.
Chelsea have been quite busy in the transfer market this month, and newcomers Benoit Badiashile and Mykhaylo Mudryk are likely to start. Noni Madueke, on the other hand, is unlikely to play since his upcoming move may not be finalized in time.
In Mendy’s absence, Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal. Cesar Azpilicueta will start at right back, with Thiago Silva and Badiashile lined up in the middle. Marc Cucurella is anticipated to start at left back in this game.
Jorginho, an Italian international, will partner Mateo Kovacic in the midfield pivot. Mudryk is likely to make his Chelsea debut as a left winger here. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mason Mount should start as the center offensive midfielder, alongside Hakim Ziyech on the right. Finally, Kai Havertz will likely lead the line for the away side.
Possible Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurrella; Jorginho, Kovacic; Ziyech, Mount, Mudryk; Havertz
Liverpool have lost just two of their last 15 Premier League matches against Chelsea (W6 D7), although one of those was at Anfield in March 2021. The home team has won just three of the last 17 Premier League games between Liverpool and Chelsea (D7 L7), though two of those have come at Anfield (2-0 in April 2019, 5-3 in July 2020).
Liverpool have lost both of their league games in 2023 so far, going down 3-1 at Brentford and 3-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion. They have not lost their first three league matches in a calendar year since 1953.
Chelsea have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games (D3 L5), though they did beat Crystal Palace 1-0 last time out. Away from home, the Blues are winless in five Premier League games (D2 L3), their longest run since September to December 2015 (7).
Liverpool have conceded at least once in each of their last eight Premier League games, last doing so in nine in a row between May and October 2016. They have shipped three goals in each of their last two league games, last shipping 3+ in three in a row in the top-flight in December 1953.
Excluding own goals, 10 of Liverpool’s last 11 goals at Anfield in all competitions have been scored by either Darwin Nunez or Mohamed Salah (5 each). Between them, the pair had scored just one of the Reds’ first 16 home goals this term (excluding own goals)
Liverpool drew 1-1. Chelsea
Both Liverpool and Chelsea will be looking for all three points here. And a loss here may be a setback in terms of UEFA Champions League qualifying. This is going to be a tight match, with the two sides canceling each other out.
In recent weeks, both Liverpool and Chelsea have suffered. And picking a winner is challenging. The Hard Tackle forecasts a goal-scoring tie between the two clubs on Saturday, with neither team benefiting.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea Predictions, Lineups, Tactics, Team News, and Key Statistics
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