Liverpool are again in Premier League motion in opposition to Chelsea this week, and there are many essential issues to notice forward of the competition.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Premier League (22) | Anfield
January 31, 2024 | 8.15pm (GMT)
The Reds need to full an ideal January of seven wins from seven on Wednesday evening, however they are going to face a Chelsea facet with a renewed sense of confidence after a poor begin to the season.
A win would preserve the stress on Man Metropolis on the prime of the Premier League desk, with their assembly in opposition to Burnley kicking off 45 minutes earlier.
Listed below are the ten essential issues you will want to know forward of Liverpool vs. Chelsea.
1. Workforce information
Issues have been wanting up on the health entrance in current weeks, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson all returning to the pitch in opposition to Norwich.
The supervisor additionally instructed us in his pre-match press convention that Alexis Mac Allister “ought to be high-quality” and that Thiago has lastly made his return to full coaching.
2. Chelsea accidents
Former Liverpool goal Levi Colwill is more likely to miss out on Wednesday as he works his manner again from a hamstring damage.
The defender picked up the difficulty through the warm-up for his facet’s FA Cup conflict with Aston Villa and is dealing with a race in opposition to time to be prepared for Anfield.
Malo Gusto, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Wesley Fofana are all absent for this one, whereas Christopher Nkunku and Trevoh Chalobah might make the bench.
3. Cup closing rehearsal
The 2 sides met in each home cup finals again in 2021/22, with Liverpool rising victorious on penalties on these two events.
A Wembley rematch awaits on the finish of subsequent month, with the Reds set to face Chelsea but once more on this season’s League Cup closing.
With either side nonetheless concerned within the FA Cup, it couldn’t occur once more, might it?
4. Klopp nears milestone
Jurgen Klopp might write one other piece of historical past if he’s to take all three factors from the midweek encounter at Anfield.
The Liverpool boss is one victory away from racking up 200 league wins with the membership, and would attain that landmark quicker than any Reds boss in historical past with a win over Mauricio Pochettino’s facet.
Trent Alexander-Arnold might additionally put his identify within the file books once more, together with his subsequent look set to be his three hundredth in all competitions, making him simply the third-fastest Liverpool participant to succeed in that tally.
5. Stalemates
This has been a famously dry fixture so far as objectives are involved lately, with the 2 sides yielding seven straight attracts from the final seven conferences.
Final April noticed the perimeters draw 0-0 for the fourth consecutive sport, earlier than the impasse was lastly damaged in a 1-1 draw within the season opener at Stamford Bridge again in August.
6. Palmer the hazard man
A lot has been manufactured from Chelsea‘s want for a brand new centre-forward this month, however the present greatest menace in entrance of purpose is a former Man Metropolis man.
Cole Palmer has 13 objectives to his identify in 27 appearances to date this season, together with seven assists in addition.
A purpose on Wednesday would take him as much as double figures within the Premier League for 2023/24, having registered a formidable six purpose involvements in his final 4 outings.
7. Workforce picks itself?
The luxurious of getting nearly all of the senior gamers again in motion means the choice on Wednesday evening might probably be an easy one.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai are anticipated to come back straight again into the facet.
Andy Robertson could also be pressured to attend a bit longer for a return to the beginning XI given the size of his lay-off and the spectacular type of Joe Gomez.
Seemingly Liverpool XI vs. Chelsea: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Diaz, Jota, Nunez
8. Fortunate escapes
Klopp joked again in December that the membership have been “fortunate” to not have spent massive on Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, with each ending up at Stamford Bridge as a substitute.
The previous has registered simply 32 minutes of Premier League soccer attributable to varied accidents, whereas the latter is failing to stay as much as his British-record £115 million payment.
We’re greater than content material with Wataru Endo for £16 million, thanks!
9. Tierney’s again… once more
Our good buddy Paul Tierney will take cost of this one, the thrill!
The Kop chanted “F**okay off, Tierney!” on the official following a string of questionable choices through the 3-0 win over Brentford. It’s not day by day a referee will get namechecked within the stands.
He will probably be assisted from the sidelines by James Mainwaring and Scott Ledger, whereas Andy Madley takes on fourth official duties.
John Brook is in command of VAR at Stockley Park, the place he will probably be assisted by Sian Massey-Ellis.
10. Sustain with the motion
As all the time, This Is Anfield will probably be available to offer full, live-text protection of the whole lot occurring at Anfield.
Our matchday liveblog will probably be obtainable on our web site from 7.30pm (GMT) forward of kick-off at 8.15pm.
One other massive one, this. Up the Reds!
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