Liverpool look to edge closer towards Champions League qualification in a huge Premier League showdown against Chelsea.
Victory would see Liverpool stay fourth in the table, although a draw or loss would be enough if Aston Villa fail to better their result on Sunday when Unai Emery’s Villains visit Burnley.
Team News
Alexander Isak could return for Liverpool after he missed their 3-2 loss at Manchester United with a minor groin injury, but is set to be available for selection.
Giorgi Mamardashvili is also set to return after he missed the Reds’ last two games due to a knee injury.
Alisson (muscle), Conor Bradley (knee), Wataru Endo (ankle), Mohamed Salah (muscle), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain absent.
Chelsea will be without Robert Sanchez and Jesse Derry due to concussion protocols following head injuries in their 3-1 loss at home to Nottingham Forest last Monday afternoon, although Derry won’t be risked for the remainder of the season as an extra precaution.
Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto are both unlikely to be involved, after the pair suffered knocks against Forest.
Estevao, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (both hamstring) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday 9 May at 12:30pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool have lost two of their last nine league meetings against Chelsea (W2, D5, L2).
- Chelsea have won one of their last 10 league visits to Liverpool at Anfield (W1, D5, L4).
- Liverpool’s last two goals against Chelsea were both scored by Dutch players; Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo albeit away at Stamford Bridge in 3-1 and 2-1 defeats respectively.
- Arne Slot’s Reds are yet to lose at home to London-based opposition this season (W4, D1).
- Chelsea have scored one goal in their last six league matches (L6), during which they conceded 14 goals.
Prediction
With a top-five finish almost within sight, Liverpool know that this is a huge chance to take that crucial step if they can be more clinical than they were at Man Utd, as they just lacked those proper final touches of their own work and instead capitalised upon mistakes from United.
Chelsea meanwhile were just outplayed by Forest and again wasteful in their own end product which shows how low the confidence is within their squad, but this is a must-win because if they lose this then any European qualification hopes will be as good as gone barring luck going their way elsewhere.
I however just don’t see Liverpool losing this because they do at least have quality and confidence within their end product unlike Chelsea.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
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