Chelsea vs Liverpool preview, predictions & team news
Liverpool travel to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon looking to maintain their 100% record in this Premier League season.
After narrowly missing out on a first-ever Premier League title last season – finishing second to Manchester City with 97 points, the third-highest total in competition history – Jurgen Klopp’s men have brushed aside all before them domestically this term.
Manchester City strolled to victory over Watford to cut their lead to two points but the Merseysiders will be determined to see it return to five by the end of Gameweek 6.
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They take on a Chelsea side who have become wholly unpredictable under new manager Frank Lampard, taking eight points from five games so far, although Liverpool will have to be wary of English youngsters Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, who have scored 11 goals between them already this season.
Read on for Chelsea vs Liverpool predictions, preview, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Chelsea vs Liverpool and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Sunday, 22 September 2019
Kick-off: 4:30 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League
Last five meetings: Chelsea vs Liverpool
14 Aug 2019: Liverpool (p) 2-2 Chelsea (Uefa Super Cup)
14 Apr 2019: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea (Premier League)
29 Sep 2018: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
26 Sep 2018: Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea (League Cup)
06 May 2018: Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Chelsea (DLDWW) 6-6 Liverpool (DWDLL)
Ones to watch
Chelsea: Tammy Abraham
Given that he’s responsible for seven of Chelsea’s 11 Premier League goals so far this season, this really wasn’t a hard choice.
Klopp valued Abraham at £60m during the build-up to Sunday’s game and while that may be quite premature at this stage, few will be able to deny it if he keeps going at this rate.
Chelsea have found their number nine.
Key stat: Abraham has scored seven goals from just eight shots on target in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk
Charged with stopping Abraham will be Liverpool’s defensive mountain, Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman had a pretty poor game by his standards against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday and was culpable for their second goal.
Still, Van Dijk has continued to look ruthlessly solid in the Premier League and will be the key to keeping this vibrant, young Chelsea under wraps.
Key stat: Van Dijk has won more aerial duels (27) and made more blocks (5) than any other Liverpool player in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Chelsea
Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains a long-term absentee, while fellow midfielder Marco van Ginkel is still out with a knee injury.
Lampard has revealed N’Golo Kante is only lacking match fitness and will be monitored ahead of the visit of Liverpool.
Mason Mount was withdrawn early with a knock against Valencia but Lampard has confirmed he should be in contention against Liverpool.
Predicted XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, Tomori, Alonso; Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Mount; Abraham.
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Liverpool
The Reds remain without right-back Nathanial Clyne who has a knee injury, while Naby Keita is also set to miss out despite returning to training.
Goalkeeper Alisson remains sidelined with a calf injury sustained against Norwich on the opening day.
Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Squawka prediction
Scoreline prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool.
