Liverpool vs Chelsea: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Anfield

Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers says he has received support from the club chairman for his decision to play a weakened team (Getty Images)

Seven months on since Gerrard’s slip, which all but cost Liverpool the title, these two meet again at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers rested many of his first team regular’s midweek against Real Madrid, in order to have a refreshed, strong team against Chelsea. Whether that was a defeatist attitude or not remains to be seen, and despite losing 1-0, many of the fringe players will have given Rodgers something to think about. Alberto Moreno and Markovic in particular.

Kolo Toure rolled back the years also with a marvellous performance, subsequently denying Ronaldo from equalling the Champions League goal scoring record. With Liverpool’s recent defensive woes, if Toure keeps up that kind of form, he could provide the club with a short term answer.

Chelsea seem to have very few problems compared to Liverpool, still unbeaten in every competition, Jose Mourinho’s men look a real force. After drawing with Manchester United two weekends previous his side have gone on to brush aside QPR and draw with Maribor on Wednesday. This could easily have been a win if it weren’t for an Eden Hazard penalty miss.

Combine that with a more refreshed and fitter Diego Costa returning from injury, Chelsea look strong favourites.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Liverpool 0 Chelsea 2 (Ba, Willian), Premier League, April 2014

Chelsea 2 (Hazard, Eto’o) Liverpool 1 (Skrtel), Premier League, December 2013

Liverpool 2 (Sturridge, Suarez) Chelsea 2 (Oscar, Hazard), Premier League, April 2013

STATS…

Liverpool have failed to beat Chelsea in their last four clashes.

Chelsea have scored the most goals in the Premier League, 26.

Along with West Brom, Liverpool are the only team in the Premier League to have an even goal difference of zero. Conceding 13 and scoring 13.

At this stage last season Liverpool had 20 points, they currently have 14.

Gerrard, Sterling, Coutinho, Henderson, Lallana and Moreno as a collective have scored the same number of league goals as Diego Costa, 9.

Mario Balotelli is yet to score in the Premier League.

ODDS…

Liverpool to win: 3.5

Chelsea to win: 2.1

Draw: 3.4

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

There have been many epic battles between these two longstanding top tier teams. However, with the events of this fixture from last season so pivotal, they cannot be ignored. This is the first time these two meet since Gerrard had that fatal slip in April, giving the ball to Demba Ba who all but crushed Liverpool’s title hopes. In what seemed like Liverpool’s first ever Premier League win, was dashed away in the very ground where it was wanted most, by the very man who wanted it most.

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 12.45pm, highlights on BBC1 at 11.00pm.