The Premier League weekend reaches its crescendo in west London as Chelsea host reigning champions and current league leaders Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
It is a fixture steeped in history and tension, and once again it arrives at a moment of uncertainty for both clubs. Chelsea are seeking to regain their rhythm after a stuttering few weeks, while Liverpool travel south desperate to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions.
Here everything you need to know
Kick-off Time & How to Watch
- Kick-off: 5:30pm (UK)
- TV: Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League
- Streaming: Sky Go
Recent Form
Chelsea and Liverpool are both looking to rediscover their spark after difficult recent runs.
Chelsea: The hosts are winless in their last three Premier League games and have slipped to eighth in the table, seven points behind their visitors. A run of red cards has added to their problems, with a player sent off in three of their last four matches in all competitions.
Liverpool: The visitors meanwhile, saw their perfect start to the league season halted by Crystal Palace last weekend, before suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in midweek Champions League action. Their early-season resilience has faded in recent weeks, and questions are growing about the team’s cohesion following a summer of major change.
History suggests that this contest is unlikely to be one-sided. Meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool are traditionally close-fought affairs; eight of the last eleven clashes in all competitions have finished level after ninety minutes, including a series of tight cup finals at Wembley.
Even when one side has appeared dominant on paper, the reality on the pitch has often been far more balanced. Liverpool are also winless in their last four Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge, a sequence that underlines how difficult this ground has been for them, regardless of their form.
Injuries and suspensions
Chelsea: The Blues preparations have been severely hampered by injuries and suspensions. Maresca revealed this week that he is without “seven or eight players” for Liverpool’s visit. Cole Palmer, arguably their most creative force, remains sidelined with a groin problem.
Defensive absences are mounting too, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill all injured, while Trevoh Chalobah misses out through suspension after his red card against Brighton. Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended following a positive drugs test, while Liam Delap, Andrey Santos and Dário Essugo are all ruled out through injury.
It leaves Chelsea short of both experience and depth, especially at the back, and forces Maresca to rely on some of the younger members of his squad in a game of this magnitude.
- Out: Trevoh Chalobah (suspended), Andrey Santos, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Dário Essugo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana.
- Suspensions/Ineligibility: Chalobah (red card), Mykhailo Mudryk (provisionally suspended for a positive drugs test).
Liverpool: Arne Slot side are not without problems of their own. The most significant blow is the absence of Alisson, who begins a six-week spell on the sidelines. Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise, and while the Georgian goalkeeper has impressed since his arrival, filling the gloves of one of the world’s best is no easy task.
Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee with an ACL injury, while Federico Chiesa and Hugo Ekitiké are both fitness doubts. Chiesa, who scored from the bench against Palace last weekend, trained on Friday and could return to the squad after missing the Galatasaray defeat. Ekitiké is also being assessed after picking up a knock in midweek.
Arne Slot has major decisions to make as he looks to stop his side’s mini-slump. Liverpool’s new-look team, assembled after a summer of considerable investment, has yet to find consistent fluency. Performances have been patchy, with the team alternating between devastating attacking football and spells of disorganisation.
- Out: Alisson (six weeks), Giovanni Leoni (ACL).
- Doubts: Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitiké.
Predicted XIs
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Sánchez; James, Badiashile, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Estêvão, Buonanotte, Neto; Pedro.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak.
Managers’ Quotes
Enzo Maresca on Liverpool’s strength:
“I consider them the best team in England at the moment. They showed that, they won the Premier League. Where we are in this moment, we’re improving, we’re trying to solve problems, find solutions. At the end, we’re going to be there – close.”
Arne Slot on Giorgi Mamardashvili replacing Alisson:
“We’ve seen against Southampton how well he has adjusted. We knew we were bringing in a very good goalkeeper but when he plays his first game it’s always the best way of seeing if he’s adjusted well or not. He’s a quality goalkeeper and now he can do what Kelleher had to do so many times in the past, replacing Alisson, hopefully in a way like he did so many times before.”
