Liverpool will go to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in an encounter that could be pivotal to the early Premier League title race on Saturday evening. The champions have lost their way in the last few weeks, and it is even possible that they will not be leading by the time kick-off comes, as Arsenal are playing West Ham earlier in the day.
The Reds seemed nearly unstoppable after they had racked up five back-to-back league victories, but the pair of defeats has brought out vulnerabilities in them. A very late and basically winning goal from Eddie Nketiah was the reason for their 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park last weekend, shortly after which a Victor Osimhen penalty sealed a 1-0 shock Champions League loss to Galatasaray. So it is with the intention of not getting a third loss in a row that the Anfield team visit West London.
However, Chelsea remain a source of annoyance for Maresca. Their campaign in the Premier League consists of two wins, two draws, and two losses up till now, with the club’s stagnation being mainly due to the lack of discipline and the mixed performance. They got the better of Jose Mourinho’s Benfica 1-0 in Europe late on despite Joao Pedro’s dismissal, but in the Premier League match against Brighton, Trevoh Chalobah’s sending off provoked a 3-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium last weekend.
Though beleaguered by unfortunate circumstances, neither team is devoid of talent. Apart from Howe and Gill, the Blues will be without the services of Chalobah, Cole Palmer, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, and Levi Colwill, while Wesley Fofana and Andrey Santos remain doubtful. Alisson Becker, who normally plays in goal, has a groin injury, so he will not be available for Liverpool and Hugo Ekitike is also nursing a knock.
The Reds can hardly take any solace from the past when in their last four league trips to Stamford Bridge they have not been able to win. Both teams are a still looking for a premier league since they lboth ost their last match and it can be expected that this match will be a tough one with the two opponents trying to be have a strong hold ahead of the international break.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
