Two of the 100% starts go head-to-head on Saturday as Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield. Both are touted as Manchester City’s closest challengers and have demonstrated such credentials so far. In fact, both are level on points, goal difference and goals scored.
This fixture is an important one in both teams’ calendars and has plenty of modern history behind it. From Jesper Gronkjaer’s billion-dollar goal to Steven Gerrard’s slip to Luis Suarez’s infamous bite, from their intense Champions League encounters to cup finals and Premier League meetings, this rivalry has seen it all. It may not be a conventional rivalry or a local derby, but it is a classic North-South Red-Blue rivalry. Liverpool and Chelsea may not have contested many league titles, but they have been regular contenders in the top four. They have also contested in a lot of competitions apart from the Premier League and the Champions League, making this the most played English fixture of the 21st century. This season, it has the added significance of being title rivals.
When: Saturday, 28th August, 5:30 PM (BST)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
How to watch in India: The match will be broadcasted on Star Sports Select 1/HD, and streamed on Hotstar VIP
Liverpool vs Chelsea: H2H
Played: 58
Liverpool: 23
Draw: 14
Chelsea: 21
Opta Stats
- Liverpool have lost just two of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Chelsea (W6 D5), though one of those defeats was in the most recent such game in March.
- Only Manchester United (12) have won more Premier League away games against Liverpool than Chelsea (7), with the Blues winning this exact fixture 1-0 last season.
- The home side didn’t lose any of the first 22 Premier League meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea, winning 17 and drawing five. Since then, the home team has won just a further 12 of their 36 such meetings, with the away side winning 15 times in that time.
- Both Liverpool and Chelsea have started the 2021-22 campaign with two wins, two clean sheets and five goals scored. Liverpool have started a top-flight campaign with three wins without conceding twice before (2013-14 and 2018-19), while Chelsea have done so three times (2004-05, 2005-06 and 2010-11).
- After netting four goals in his first four Premier League appearances against Liverpool, Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has scored in just one of his last 11 against the Reds.
Team News
For Jurgen Klopp, James Milner (knock) is ruled out. Andy Robertson (ankle) has recovered and is in contention to make his first start of the season. Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also available after leaves for personal reasons.
For Chelsea, only Christian Pulisic is out having tested positive for Covid.
Prediction
Both clubs have made ominous starts, but in truth haven’t really been tested yet. Both teams have made 100% starts so something has to give in this fixture. All eyes will be on the Virgil Van Dijk vs Romelu Lukaku duel, but it will also be interesting to see how Chelsea’s back three copes with the Reds’ new front three. With a fully fit squad and a full capacity Anfield, there aren’t any excuses now for Liverpool. I think because of the Anfield crowd, I would slightly tilt the scales in the hosts’ favor. It will be a very closely contested match, but I think Klopp’s men will just edge it.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea