CHELSEA v Liverpool: Preview

Date: Tuesday 4^th April 2023

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Never dull being a Chelsea supporter is it?

Let’s start with the last game, well we won it on shots apparently but sadly lost it on goals conceded. Seriously though, what was that about? We were a shambles. I don’t know how many games I’ve got to the end of, believing it’s the worst game we’ll see all season, only to be persistently proved wrong, which was indeed the case against Aston Villa at the weekend. Mind you, the side Potter put out had ‘sack me’ written all over it – which is exactly what they did. No doubt prompted by the utter confusion on the pitch and the vociferous and strangely united chorus of ‘getting sacked in the morning’ coming from both home and away support. And so, we go into tonight’s game at home to Liverpool, with our umpteenth interim in charge.

This interim takes his first game in charge up against a grumpy Jurgen Klopp, still smarting from a 4-1 defeat to City and the somewhat enthusiastic celebration of Pep Guardiola, no pressure though. I mean, we’ve managed a solitary win from our last five at home, so even the misfiring media darlings will be looking forward to a training session against a Chelsea side now officially in the bottom half of the table.

Let’s face it, they’re not great this season either, but the 7-0 they dished out to a (usually) much better United side, should serve as a reminder of what they are capable of on a good day. Of course, they went on to lose to Bournemouth after that one but having lost their last 2, I don’t see a third on the cards here.

Bruno Saltor, who seems to have been part of this ‘collaboration’ to reduce the cost of Potter’s departure and tide us over until we fill the manager’s position yet again, has never picked a starting XI before.

What could possibly go wrong?

MANAGER’S VIEWS

Going into today’s game, this season’s interim, Bruno Saltor, says “[We’re] Seeing it as an opportunity for the players – we are representing Chelsea.  I don’t have to give any clues to Liverpool but I think as you saw the (Aston Villa) game. We dominate the game and as everyone knows we lost the game. There were a few mistakes. Overall, I think it was a good performance. We had a lot of chances and are going to try to keep as close as we can.

A club with an amazing history, it is about winning, it is about dominating and what we need to do is prepare for the game. Preparation helps a lot for performance and that is what the players need to focus on. Obviously pure admiration towards Jurgen [Klopp]. I cannot say anything that everyone doesn’t know. Obviously, they are going through a tough season as well but they’ve got top players and we’re expecting a really aggressive game, high intensity and we need to be ready.”

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, says “I don’t like the fact I have to rely on [the past success] but I am fully here, we have to sort it. We cannot just continue playing how we do from time to time. I am really disappointed about us that we do this but it happens. We have to find a way out.

What can I say? The elephant in the room is why am I still sitting here in this crazy world? Last man standing! So, I think both clubs are not where they expect to be. I respect [Potter/Rodgers] a lot. Good people, fantastic managers. That’s part of the business, but that is it. Last week (Julian) Nagelsmann and now these two. The season is in a decisive part. People are afraid of not reaching their targets. I think it’s 12 (sackings) now, which is an awful number. I think some clubs are underachieving, us too. There are expectations out there, rightly so and if you don’t reach them, you have to accept the decisions.”

SQUAD NEWS

For Chelsea, Armando Broja (ACL), Thiago Silva (knee), and Cesar Azpilicueta (knee) remain out. Raheem Sterling (thigh) and Wesley Fofana (hamstring) may both be available to play some part. Edouard Mendy (finger) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (back) will be assessed.

For Liverpool, Calvin Ramsay (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (adductor) and Thiago (hip) remain out and the game comes too soon for Luis Diaz (knee). Naby Keita is also a doubt with a muscular problem.

TEAMS

CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Kepa; Badiashile, Koulibaly, Cucurella, James, Fernandez, Kante, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Felix

LIVERPOOL (Possible line-up): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Fabinho; Salah, Firmino, Jota; Nunez

LAST SEASON

Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool (2^nd January 2022)

FORM (PL)

CHELSEA: LLWWDL

LIVERPOOL: WDWWLL

OTHER STUFF

• Each of the last five meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool in all competitions have been draws.
• Liverpool have never drawn six in a row against any opponent before.
• Chelsea have only won three Premier League games in 2023.
• Liverpool could go five league games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge for the first time.
• The last three meetings in all competitions have ended goalless.
• Chelsea have lost without scoring in four Premier League home games this season.
• Liverpool have scored 14 goals in as many away league fixtures in this campaign.
• Chelsea have won just three of their last 13 midweek Premier League games, losing both such matches so far in 2023.
• Liverpool have won 13 of their last 14 midweek Premier League games, including each of the last nine in a row.
• Chelsea have failed to score in five Premier League home games this season, including four in 2023.
• Liverpool’s tally of eight Premier League away defeats already matches their total number from the last three seasons combined.
• Chelsea have scored just 29 goals from 355 shots in the Premier League this season.
• Liverpool could lose three successive Premier League matches for the first time since February 2021.

PREDICTION

Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool