Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Must-Know Facts for the Epic Anfield Showdown
Liverpool is set to face Chelsea in a highly anticipated Premier League match at Anfield on January 31, 2024. With both teams aiming for victory, here are the key highlights and must-know facts for this epic showdown.
1. Team News
Liverpool has received positive news on the fitness front, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Andy Robertson returning to the pitch against Norwich. Manager Jurgen Klopp also revealed in his pre-match press conference that Alexis Mac Allister “should be fine” and that Thiago has made his return to full training.
2. Chelsea Injuries
Former Liverpool target Levi Colwill is likely to miss out on Wednesday’s match as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Other absentees for Chelsea include Malo Gusto, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Wesley Fofana. However, Christopher Nkunku and Trevoh Chalobah could make the bench.
3. Cup Final Rehearsal
Liverpool and Chelsea faced each other in both domestic cup finals during the 2021/22 season, with Liverpool emerging victorious on penalties. A rematch awaits in this season’s League Cup final, adding an extra layer of intensity to their upcoming clash. With both teams still involved in the FA Cup, fans wonder if history will repeat itself.
4. Klopp Nears Milestone
Jurgen Klopp has the opportunity to achieve another milestone if Liverpool secures a victory against Chelsea. He is one win away from reaching 200 league victories with the club, becoming the fastest Reds boss to achieve this feat. Additionally, Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his 300th appearance in all competitions, making him the third-fastest Liverpool player to reach this milestone.
5. Stalemates
Recent meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea have resulted in a series of goalless draws. In fact, the last seven encounters between the two sides have ended in a stalemate. However, the deadlock was finally broken in their last meeting, with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in August.
6. Palmer the Danger Man
While Chelsea searches for a new center-forward, the current biggest threat in front of goal is Cole Palmer, a former Manchester City player. Palmer has scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 27 appearances this season. He aims to reach double figures in Premier League goals and continue his impressive form against Liverpool.
7. Team Picks Itself?
With the majority of senior players back in action, Liverpool’s selection for this match could be straightforward. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to return to the starting lineup, while Andy Robertson may have to wait longer due to his lay-off and the impressive performances of Joe Gomez.
8. Lucky Escapes
Jurgen Klopp jokingly mentioned that Liverpool was “lucky” not to spend big on Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, as both players ended up at Chelsea instead. However, Lavia has struggled with injuries and has only played 32 minutes in the Premier League, while Caicedo has failed to live up to his hefty transfer fee. Liverpool fans are content with their acquisition of Wataru Endo for £16 million.
9. Tierney’s Back… Again
Referee Paul Tierney will officiate the match, and he is no stranger to controversy. During Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brentford, the Kop chanted “F**k off, Tierney!” due to questionable decisions made by the official. Despite the fans’ displeasure, Tierney will be assisted by James Mainwaring and Scott Ledger, with Andy Madley serving as the fourth official. VAR duties will be handled by John Brook, assisted by Sian Massey-Ellis.
10. Keep Up with the Action
For those unable to attend the match, This Is Anfield will provide full, live-text coverage of the game on their website. The matchday live blog will be available from 7.30pm (GMT) ahead of the 8.15pm kick-off time. It’s set to be another thrilling encounter at Anfield. Up the Reds!