The corresponding fixture, last season will be forever etched in memory, Liverpool were so close to ending their 20+ year drought of winning the League title. All they needed was 7 points from the last 3 games and Chelsea came to play spoilsport.
The game was a tepid affair with Chelsea playing with all “two parked buses” behind the ball and then in the 45th minute of the first half, the “slip” happened. Of all people, it had to be Steven Gerrard, who slipped, Demba Ba ran to score past Simon Mignolet and the rest is history, Liverpool are still looking back at that game which effectively cost them the title. Chelsea should have won the title last season, especially due to their performances against the top teams but they didn’t. This season, Chelsea looks like a completely different beast and are unbeaten in the league.
Both teams had played in the UEFA Champions League in midweek with Chelsea drawing against Maribor and Liverpool losing to Real Madrid, the talk of the night was Brendan Rodgers playing a “second string” side at Madrid and just losing 1-0. This could be a pivotal game in the season for Rodgers, if he can get something out from the game, the midweek game could be called a master class or Jose could come to Anfield again and play the role of the villain, which would greatly question Rodgers decision to make all those changes in midweek.
Liverpool have had a stuttering start to the season and lost their last game, meekly to Newcastle while Chelsea just about held off Queens Park Rangers. Liverpool need a win to kick-start their season, which will not be easy against Chelsea who seem to be just waltzing away with the title. The game will be a tough one to predict but these three key battles could decide which team ends up with the 3 points.
Liverpool’s centre backs vs. Diego Costa
Diego Costa looks like he has played for this Chelsea side for quite a few years. He has already scored 9 goals in just 7 games and will be looking to add a few more to his tally when he takes on a Liverpool defense which can’t defend, saying that, Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel were fantastic against Real Madrid and only conceded one goal, which is something to be proud off.
If the Liverpool pair, it could be Lovren who gets the nod ahead of Toure, can keep the Spaniard quiet, Liverpool could end up being in a decent position to have a say in the game.
Steven Gerrard vs. Nemanja Matic
Steven Gerrard has not been able to hit the high notes from last season but if there is any game that needs him to be at his best, it has to be this one. Chelsea has been a juggernaut in the league this season and playing against them, every player would have to give 110%. Gerrard will be looking to ahead to banishing those demons of the slip and halt the Chelsea locomotive.
Nemanja Matic looks like a Jose Mourinho player, the Jose Mourinho who first came to Chelsea, play pragmatic football, not concede too many goals then win games. The Serbian has been in exceptional form since his return to Chelsea in 2014 from Benfica and would be looking to nullify Liverpool’s attack, especially the influence of Gerrard.
Raheem Sterling vs. Eden Hazard
Two of the best, young, wingers in the game go head to head against each other. Sterling was having the season of his life last season, which culminated in a call to the England team for the World Cup but it has been a poor start to the season for the 19 year old this season. Granted, Liverpool has had a poor season and having to rely on a 19 year old to produce the goals game in is not the right way to go. Sterling will be hoping to find some form and what better way than against the league leaders?
Eden Hazard has been in good form since the season started, he has been overshadowed by Cesc Fabregas, who has hit the ground running but Eden can be a match winner and if he decides to have a go, Liverpool’s wing backs could be in a heap of trouble.
The starlet who decides to take the game by the bull by the horns could end up on the side that wins.
