Preview: Liverpool vs Chelsea – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups | Football Blog

Liverpool will return to action on Wednesday night as they welcome Chelsea to Anfield for a blockbuster Premier League clash. 

The fortunes of the two clubs have been very different this season, with the Reds currently sitting at the top of the standings while their London rivals are 17 points behind them in ninth. 

Match Preview 

Jurgen Klopp made a shocking announcement last week that he will step down as manager at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. 

The German boss will want to make his final season memorable by winning the Premier League title. 

The Reds are in a great position to pull off that feat as they are five points clear at the top of the league table.  

They cruised to a 5-2 victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend, with Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch all earning their names on the scoresheet. 

Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently unbeaten in their previous 10 games in all competitions. 

But Liverpool now face two challenging fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal in the space of five days. 

The Blues have seen an upturn in form in recent weeks, losing only one of their previous seven matches in all competitions. 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side claimed a thumping 6-1 win over Middlesbrough to progress to the EFL Cup final at Wembley last week. 

But they were held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday. 

Chelsea created several goalscoring opportunities but the lack of finishing let them down, with the Londoners now having to face Villa again in a replay next month. 

Team News 

Liverpool will be missing several players on Wednesday due to fitness issues, including Mohamed Salah, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Kostas Tsimikas and Stefan Bajcetic. Meanwhile, Wataru Endo is away with the national team at the Asian Cup. 

Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino is also dealing with a long list of absentees due to injuries. Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, and Robert Sanchez are all in the infirmary in latest Chelsea news. 

Liverpool vs Chelsea potential line-ups 

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Jota, Nunez, Diaz

Chelsea: Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Broja

Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction 

The two sides have been very evenly matched in recent years as their last seven meetings have ended as draws. 

However, given Liverpool’s form and home advantage, we are backing Jurgen Klopp’s men to prevail this week at Anfield. 

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea