There are few higher emotions than understanding a global break is over and Liverpool’s return is imminent, however Chelsea will probably be out to spoil our Sunday at Anfield.

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

Premier League (8) | Anfield
October 20, 2024 | 4.30pm (BST)

Premier League motion is again on the agenda, and the Reds should not have time to ease themselves again in as fourth-placed Chelsea await.

It’s a battle of two new managers within the prime flight with Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca going face to face.

Right here is every little thing you’ll want to know forward of kickoff.

1. Alisson OUT, Kelleher IN

It was confirmed through the break that Alisson won’t return to motion till after the November worldwide break, that means Caoimhin Kelleher steps into the No. 1 position as soon as once more.

That is the second time the Brazilian has been sidelined with a hamstring damage this season.

Forward of the match, Slot conceded that his aspect returned from the break with “just a few points,” which included sickness for Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas – and the latter was not pictured in coaching.

Alexis Mac Allister needed to handle his adductor situation and was not noticed throughout Friday’s coaching session, neither was Federico Chiesa.

Harvey Elliott, in the meantime, had been focusing on a return from a fractured foot towards Chelsea however will want extra time to be able to mark his return.

2. Two suspended defenders for Chelsea

Maresca will probably be with out each Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for the journey to Anfield, with the pair serving a one-match ban having already reached the 5 yellow card threshold.

The duo have began each league recreation, that means Tosin Adarabioyo or Axel Disasi will get their probability at centre-back whereas Renato Veiga is predicted to get the matchup towards Mo Salah.

Reece James is again in coaching and accessible for choice however, having but to play any aggressive minutes this season, a return towards Liverpool appears most unlikely.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

3. 1st meets 4th

Simply 4 factors separate the 2 groups within the league desk heading into this conflict.

Liverpool have 18 factors to their title and have conceded simply two throughout their seven video games. Chelsea, conversely, have scored 16 however conceded eight.

Maresca’s males have received all three video games on the highway to this point, solely the Reds have a greater report, and in accordance with FotMob, Chelsea have created the second-most huge possibilities this season (27).

Slot’s aspect additionally tops that rating, which units us up for an entertaining match at Anfield.

4. Rail journey warning

Followers are being urged to plan their journey prematurely for the day of the sport and discover different routes if they’re contemplating utilizing the practice strains.

Deliberate main engineering work ensures Liverpool Lime Road Station will probably be closed for all the day, most companies into the town are being changed by buses from Crewe which is able to lengthen the journey.

A nuisance for each units of followers! You could find extra data right here.

5. How might Liverpool line up?

Slot has just a few gamers who’re doubtful to characteristic, however you count on he’ll flip to as near his finest XI as doable towards the Blues.

Kelleher is the apparent inclusion, with Mac Allister a shoo-in ought to he get the nod to start out.

Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo might give the Liverpool boss one thing to consider if he’d desire brisker legs, however the duo usually tend to be choices off the bench.

Predicted Reds XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Jota

6. Hazard males

Liverpool could cause Chelsea loads of points at Anfield, however Slot’s aspect must preserve a detailed eye on Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke.

The pair have mixed for 11 objectives in all competitions and in accordance with Opta, have created 15 possibilities for each other within the Premier League this season, probably the most of any duo.

Palmer is likely one of the most in-form gamers within the prime flight and he has immediately contributed to 44 league objectives for the reason that begin of final season, greater than some other participant.

Slot has been ready for his aspect to be examined, and he’ll get his want.

7. Slot’s verdict on Van Dijk criticism

Talking forward of the fixture, Slot addressed the criticism Virgil van Dijk confronted from the Dutch media after returning to Liverpool early through the break:

“I don’t suppose he deserves this, as a result of he performed some superb video games for the Dutch nationwide staff in his previous few video games as properly. However that’s not a shock for me.

“Is it a shock that he will get criticism? Sure it’s. Perhaps not by the Dutch media, however typically I’d say that’s a shock.

“As a result of in case you are on this schedule, on this fixture checklist, it’s utterly regular that you’ve just a few days off.

“Another gamers in Holland, which you in all probability don’t know, didn’t come as a result of they had been drained.

“How on earth you possibly can criticise a participant that’s performed each recreation for us and performed the Euros…that’s Dutch media!”

8. Diaz enjoys giving the blues to Chelsea

Luis Diaz has been a thorn in Chelsea‘s aspect in latest instances and he can obtain a report on Sunday that even Salah has not but managed.

Ought to he rating on Sunday, he’ll grow to be the primary Liverpool participant since Ian Rush in 1990 to attain in three successive league video games towards Chelsea.

Liverpool’s No. 7 has not scored for the membership since his brace towards Bournemouth however now could be a very good time so as to add to his tally and ship the Blues again to London empty-handed.

9. Referee confirmed

John Brooks is in command of the Anfield conflict, it is going to be the primary time he has refereed a Liverpool recreation for the reason that 4-3 loss to Man United within the FA Cup quarter-finals final season – a recreation none of us care to recollect.

In whole, he has been in command of six Reds fixtures previously, leading to three wins, a draw and two defeats – he was the one to point out Virgil van Dijk a pink card at Newcastle.

Simon Bennett and Darren Cann are his assistants at Anfield, whereas Craig Pawson will function as fourth official.

Michael Oliver will probably be at Stockley Park as lead VAR, assisted by Stuart Burt.

10. How one can comply with the match with TIA!

Liverpool vs. Chelsea will probably be proven stay on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion and Sky Sports activities Premier League within the UK, with protection to get underway at 4pm (BST).

But when you don’t fancy listening to the bizarre noises Gary Neville makes, you possibly can comply with our matchday liveblog with Harry McMullen from 3.45pm.

Three factors, please!