Sixth-placed Liverpool FC welcome fifth-placed Chelsea on Thursday at Anfield in what could prove to be a crunch tie between two sides vying hard for securing a top-four finish come to the end of this campaign.
Jurgen Klopp’s side did cut short a four-game-long losing run last time around when playing Sheffield United whilst on the road and the 2-0 scoreline enjoyed by the Merseysiders reflected that Liverpool FC had upped their brand of football after weeks of misfiring on all fronts.
Against Chelsea, however, the Reds will face a much sterner test in the form of a resurrected Blues outfit under the charge of the newly appointed Thomas Tuchel and the German has brought about a much-needed change of results for the best at Stamford Bridge since his hiring.
The Blues had been involved in the goalless stalemate against Manchester United recently and a solid defensive showing allowed Tuchel’s men to salvage a well-deserved draw from their outing.
Anfield has turned out to be a woeful venue for the Merseyside Reds of late in light of Klopp’s men recording four defeats on the trot when playing on their own patch and Chelsea’s visit comes at a time when the hosts are striving hard to renew their credentials for securing Champions League football for the next season.
A victory on Thursday, however, could lift the Reds back inside the top-four and Jurgen Klopp and Co. would relish such a possibility heading into the opening week of March and fellow rivals for the top-four spot up the ante themselves to get over their foes.
WHEN & WHERE?
𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐮𝐩: @ChelseaFC (H) 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/eDL5szGaHG
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 3, 2021
Date: Thursday 4 March
Time: 3 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Much of the focus would be on the inclusion of returnee Diogo Jota and whether the Portugal international finds himself in the mix to grab some minutes on the pitch come Thursday at Anfield.
Jota’s return to full team training over the last week had generated a lot of buzz as to the ex-Wolves forward being in line to stage a comeback on the pitch since his injury layoff in the backend of last year curtailed a brilliant start to a new life on Merseyside for the 23-year-old.
Fabinho and Alisson Becker also continue to be monitored over their return after the duo missed out on the victory over the Blades last week, with Adrian stepping in for the latter in the Liverpool FC goal.
Should Fabinho find his name on the teamsheet for the clash against the Blues, questions would be over the Brazillian’s spot on the pitch following the former AS Monaco man finding himself as his team’s trusted centre-back option in light of the injury crisis currently away at Anfield.
KEY BATTLE
Mohammad Salah vs Antonio Rudiger
Salah looks the sole presence in the Reds frontline capable of turning the match’s result on his own and the leading goalscorer this season in English top-flight football.
Much would be expected from the Egyptian star man when he steps out on the Anfield pitch to square up against his former side Chelsea, a team that Salah has often troubled with his quality on the right flank.
Antonio Rudiger is one face in the Chelsea camp that has seen his first-team credentials renew since Tuchel took over and the German international centre-back has repaid his new manager’s faith by putting a series of confident showings at the back despite Chelsea missing Thiago Silva to injury.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool FC look strong on paper following the return of key first-team regulars to the camp on Merseyside but Chelsea’s fortunes of late have made the Blues a tough opponent to deal with for other sides.
Jurgen Klopp would be rallying his troops for what could prove to be a match of paramount importance for two sides fighting for the final berth in the quest to secure Champions League football.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
