Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview

• Liverpool to win
• Liverpool to keep clean sheet

Liverpool’s Stellar Start Under Arne Slot

Arne Slot’s tenure at Liverpool has been near perfect, with the Reds sitting comfortably atop the Premier League table, having conceded just two goals all season—the best defensive record in the league.

However, Slot will remain cautious, especially after their only defeat of the season came immediately after the last international break, a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Since then, Liverpool have bounced back strongly with six consecutive wins across all competitions, and they’ll look to continue their momentum against Chelsea at Anfield.

A win here would mark just the fifth time Liverpool have won seven of their opening eight matches of a top-flight season, a sign of their title credentials.

Historically, Liverpool have enjoyed their recent encounters with Chelsea, losing just twice in their last 17 head-to-head clashes (W9, D6), including four wins in cup finals, demonstrating their ability to perform on big occasions.

Chelsea’s Road Dominance

Chelsea come into this fixture in good form, having enjoyed a five-game winning streak before being held to a 1-1 draw against Liverpool’s bogey team, Nottingham Forest, in their last Premier League outing.

Despite that, Chelsea have been resilient, losing only twice in their last 22 league matches (W13, D7), and they’ll fancy their chances of upsetting Liverpool.

Enzo Maresca’s men have been impressive on the road, boasting a perfect record with three wins from their three away Premier League matches this season.

Another victory would see Chelsea start a Premier League campaign with four straight away wins for just the third time in their history.

Maresca himself is also on the verge of history, as a win at Anfield would make him just the fifth manager to win his first four Premier League away games, following in the footsteps of his counterpart, Arne Slot, who achieved the feat earlier this season.

Key Players to Watch

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

The Dutch defender has been in excellent form, contributing to three clean sheets in Liverpool’s last five games. He also scored the decisive goal in extra time when the Reds beat Chelsea 1-0 in the EFL Cup final in February, and another dominant performance from van Dijk will be crucial in keeping Chelsea at bay.

Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Jackson has been a key player for Chelsea this season, scoring the opening goal in his three goalscoring appearances.

Notably, two of those goals came within the first five minutes of away games, making him a player to watch from the start. His early contributions could be critical in unsettling Liverpool’s well-drilled defence.

Conclusion

This clash between two in-form teams promises to be a tightly contested affair. Liverpool’s resolute defence, paired with their impressive home form, gives them the edge, but Chelsea’s strong record on the road this season means they shouldn’t be underestimated.

Both teams have title ambitions, and the outcome of this match could have significant implications for the season ahead.

Prediction: A close encounter with Liverpool edging a narrow win, but expect Chelsea to make it a highly competitive game.

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Liverpool v Chelsea, 2024/25 | Premier League