Chelsea vs Liverpool
England – Premier League
Date: Sunday, 22 September 2019
Kick-off at 16:30 UK / 17:30 CET
Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)
At Stamford Bridge, and on the back of a chastening Champions League defeat away to Napoli, this will be one of the fixtures that Liverpool’s rivals have marked as a potential for them to drop points.
But that is to play down their current league form, having won five from five so far to take their Premier League winning streak to 14 games.
The Reds are favourites to win this one too because, for all Chelsea impressed last weekend in winning 5-2 at Wolves, they have been far too inconsistent this season.
Tammy Abraham’s goalscoring form is a major positive, with seven goals in the last three league games, but he will be up against Virgil van Dijk this time out.
Chelsea are also lacking one of their best creative players, with Mason Mount injured after Francis Coquelin’s tackle in the Champions League defeat to Valencia.
If Chelsea flow, they are clearly still capable of big results – last weekend proves that – but defensively they have been a bit of a shambles this season.
Even in beating Wolves, they conceded twice. They also conceded two the last time they met Liverpool – both scored by Sadio Mane – and two to Sheffield United recently as well.
If Chelsea’s defence is as porous again, Liverpool could run riot – Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino remain one of the most feared front threes around at the moment.
Chelsea have the potential to end Liverpool’s winning streak, but do they have the consistency and the defensive resolve? The latter point is the most pertinent, and Liverpool can claim a victory in this game.
