EPL : Chelsea takes battle to Anfield
Anfield will today witness fireworks as Liverpool welcome Chelsea boasting an impressive recent record against the Premier League champions.
The Blues have not beaten Jurgen Klopp’s men in the League for over three years when goals from Diego Costa and Gary Cahill sealed all three points.
Another win for the Reds this weekend will send them above their fellow title contenders, while a loss could all but end any hopes with Manchester City setting the pace at the top.
Chelsea head into today’s clash off the back of securing Champions League progress with a 4-0 win over Qarabag in Baku, while Liverpool let a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 with Sevilla in Spain.
Joel Matip is a doubt for the hosts with a thigh strain, though Adam Lallana should be fit as he battles a similar problem.
Nathaniel Clyne remains out with a long-term back problem.
Conte was able to bring Eden Hazard off early against Qarabag to give the forward a rest for Anfield.
Willian has rarely been a regular for Conte since the Italian’s arrival in 2016, but the Brazilian will be pushing for a start against Liverpool after scoring twice and winning two penalties in Baku.
Victor Moses (hamstring) is still a doubt for the champions, while Michy Batshauyi (ankle) is almost certain to miss out.
However, Liverpool will aim to extend their unbeaten run against Chelsea to six games when they welcome the defending Premier League champions to Anfield on Saturday.
The last time Chelsea defeated Liverpool in the Premier League was on Nov. 8, 2014, a 2-1 away victory thanks to goals from Gary Cahill and Diego Costa. Chelsea, in fact, have not lost any of their last five Premier League visits to Anfield; their last defeat there was on May 8, 2012.
That current five-game run for Liverpool includes two victories, though both were earned at Stamford Bridge — including one last season.
All told, this will be the 55th meeting between the two sides in all competitions since the start of 2000, making it the most-played fixture among clubs within England’s top four tiers.
And, both teams have scored in 11 of their last 12 meetings in the Premier League, with the exception being Chelsea’s 2-0 victory at Anfield on April 27, 2014.
Chelsea will be the last of the “Big Six” opponents that Liverpool have yet to face this season, having taken just four points from their previous four games — a victory against Arsenal, a draw against Manchester United and defeats to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Still, their 37 points in 22 games are the most of any Premier League team against that group since Jurgen Klopp took over as Liverpool manager in October 2015. Chelsea, in that same span, have claimed 31 points in 22 games.
