Liverpool and Chelsea lock horns in what was expected to be a title-defining clash, but is instead a battle to salvage their respective poor seasons after a wretched first part to the campaign.
The Reds looked to have found form over the World Cup break, but back-to-back defeats to Brentford and Brighton have seen them brought firmly back down to earth, and they currently sit ninth.
Defeat to Chelsea, who are similarly struggling, would see them drop below Graham Potter’s side come the end of the weekend, and with both sides crippled with injury issues it is as much a war of attrition as it will be quality when the two sides meet at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.
Three points for either side would prove massive, and could see them move as high as sixth ahead of what both hope is a much better second half of the season.
Read on for the latest team news from the Liverpool camp, and how we expect them to line up.
📰 Table Of Contents
Predicted XI
Team News
Liverpool are still suffering from their fair share of injuries, with Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino all sidelined, leaving Jurgen Klopp down to the bare bones in attack.
Midfielder Arthur, on loan from Juventus, also hasn’t recovered from his knee injury and will not be able to play any part, though Darwin Nunez is expected to recover from the dead leg that ruled him out of the defeat against Brighton last weekend.
Stefan Bajcetic, who started the midweek cup tie over Wolves in the FA Cup, could be in line to keep his place after offering the Reds a welcome boost in an otherwise underperforming midfield, while January addition Cody Gakpo is also expected to start once more against the Blues.
