There are few higher emotions than realizing a global break is over and Liverpool’s return is imminent, however Chelsea will probably be out to spoil our Sunday at Anfield.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Premier League (8) | Anfield
October 20, 2024 | 4.30pm (BST)
Premier League motion is again on the agenda, and the Reds don’t have time to ease themselves again in as fourth-placed Chelsea await.
It’s a battle of two new managers within the high flight with Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca going face to face.
Right here is all the things it’s good to know forward of kickoff.
1. Alisson OUT, Kelleher IN
It was confirmed in the course of the break that Alisson won’t return to motion till after the November worldwide break, that means Caoimhin Kelleher steps into the No. 1 function as soon as once more.
That is the second time the Brazilian has been sidelined with a hamstring damage this season.
Forward of the match, Slot conceded that his aspect returned from the break with “a couple of points,” which included sickness for Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas – and the latter was not pictured in coaching.
Alexis Mac Allister needed to handle his adductor concern and was not noticed throughout Friday’s coaching session, neither was Federico Chiesa.
Harvey Elliott, in the meantime, had been focusing on a return from a fractured foot towards Chelsea however will want extra time to be able to mark his return.
2. Two suspended defenders for Chelsea
Maresca will probably be with out each Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for the journey to Anfield, with the pair serving a one-match ban having already reached the 5 yellow card threshold.
The duo have began each league sport, that means Tosin Adarabioyo or Axel Disasi will get their probability at centre-back whereas Renato Veiga is anticipated to get the matchup towards Mo Salah.
Reece James is again in coaching and accessible for choice however, having but to play any aggressive minutes this season, a return towards Liverpool seems impossible.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
3. 1st meets 4th
Simply 4 factors separate the 2 groups within the league desk heading into this conflict.
Liverpool have 18 factors to their identify and have conceded simply two throughout their seven video games. Chelsea, conversely, have scored 16 however conceded eight.
Maresca’s males have gained all three video games on the highway up to now, solely the Reds have a greater document, and in line with FotMob, Chelsea have created the second-most large probabilities this season (27).
Slot’s aspect additionally tops that rating, which units us up for an entertaining match at Anfield.
Kind (in all competitions)
Liverpool (most up-to-date L-R): W, W, W, W, W
Chelsea: D, W, W, W, W
4. Rail journey warning
Followers are being urged to plan their journey prematurely for the day of the sport and discover various routes if they’re contemplating utilizing the prepare strains.
Deliberate main engineering work ensures Liverpool Lime Avenue Station will probably be closed for your complete day, most providers into the town are being changed by buses from Crewe which can prolong the journey.
A nuisance for each units of followers! Yow will discover extra info right here.
5. How may Liverpool line up?
Slot has a couple of gamers who’re unsure to characteristic, however you anticipate he’ll flip to as near his finest XI as doable towards the Blues.
Kelleher is the plain inclusion, with Mac Allister a shoo-in ought to he get the nod to begin.
Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo may give the Liverpool boss one thing to consider if he’d choose brisker legs, however the duo usually tend to be choices off the bench.
Predicted Reds XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Jota
6. Hazard males
Liverpool may cause Chelsea loads of points at Anfield, however Slot’s aspect must maintain an in depth eye on Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke.
The pair have mixed for 11 targets in all competitions and in line with Opta, have created 15 probabilities for each other within the Premier League this season, probably the most of any duo.
Palmer is likely one of the most in-form gamers within the high flight and he has straight contributed to 44 league targets for the reason that begin of final season, greater than some other participant.
Slot has been ready for his aspect to be examined, and he’ll get his want.
7. Slot’s verdict on Van Dijk criticism
Talking forward of the fixture, Slot addressed the criticism Virgil van Dijk confronted from the Dutch media after returning to Liverpool early in the course of the break:
“I don’t suppose he deserves this, as a result of he performed some excellent video games for the Dutch nationwide workforce in his previous few video games as nicely. However that’s not a shock for me.
“Is it a shock that he will get criticism? Sure it’s. Possibly not by the Dutch media, however on the whole I might say that’s a shock.
“As a result of if you’re on this schedule, on this fixture record, it’s utterly regular that you’ve a couple of days off.
“Another gamers in Holland, which you most likely don’t know, didn’t come as a result of they had been drained.
“How on earth you may criticise a participant that’s performed each sport for us and performed the Euros…that’s Dutch media!”
8. Diaz enjoys giving the blues to Chelsea
Luis Diaz has been a thorn in Chelsea‘s aspect in latest occasions and he can obtain a document on Sunday that even Salah has not but managed.
Ought to he rating on Sunday, he’ll change into the primary Liverpool participant since Ian Rush in 1990 to attain in three successive league video games towards Chelsea.
Liverpool’s No. 7 has not scored for the membership since his brace towards Bournemouth however now can be an excellent time so as to add to his tally and ship the Blues again to London empty-handed.
9. Referee confirmed
John Brooks is accountable for the Anfield conflict, will probably be the primary time he has refereed a Liverpool sport for the reason that 4-3 loss to Man United within the FA Cup quarter-finals final season – a sport none of us care to recollect.
In whole, he has been accountable for six Reds fixtures previously, leading to three wins, a draw and two defeats – he was the one to indicate Virgil van Dijk a pink card at Newcastle.
Simon Bennett and Darren Cann are his assistants at Anfield, whereas Craig Pawson will function as fourth official.
Michael Oliver will probably be at Stockley Park as lead VAR, assisted by Stuart Burt.
10. How one can comply with the match with TIA!
Liverpool vs. Chelsea will probably be proven stay on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion and Sky Sports activities Premier League within the UK, with protection to get underway at 4pm (BST).
But when you don’t fancy listening to the bizarre noises Gary Neville makes, you may comply with our matchday liveblog with Harry McMullen from 3.45pm.
Three factors, please!
