Liverpool will be looking to put an end to their run of draws against Chelsea when the Reds welcome the Londoners to Anfield on Wednesday night.
A 5-2 win over Norwich City in the FA Cup sends Liverpool into Wednesday’s clash in high spirits, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai all returning from injury against the Canaries. The FA Cup win came just a few days after Liverpool secured their spot in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea next month, but the two will go head to head on Wednesday in the Premier League first.
The last seven meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea have ended in draws over 90 minutes, with the Reds beating the west London opponents on penalties in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup final in 2022. The reverse fixture saw Liverpool held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season, with Luis Diaz getting on the scoresheet.
So, can Liverpool pick up a much-needed win against Chelsea? Let’s take a look.
We simulated Liverpool vs Chelsea to get a score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 24 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Diaz, Jota, Nunez.
We predict that Chelsea could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk.
Chelsea took the lead eight minutes in when Cole Palmer’s blocked shot fell to the feet of Myhailo Mudryk, and the winger tapped home from close range – a nightmare start for Liverpool. The Reds have come from behind on more than one occasion so far this season, and they did just that just 25 minutes in as they turned the game on its head.
Some silky footwork from Diogo Jota saw the striker evade two Chelsea defenders after he received the ball 30 yards from goal, and when one-on-one with the ‘keeper, Jota tucked his shot into the far corner to draw his side level. Just three minutes later, Jota and Liverpool managed to grab a second, this time the striker heading home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner at the near post.
Liverpool took the lead into the break, but just after the restart, Palmer managed to draw Chelsea level, with the forward volleying Raheem Sterling’s cross underneath Alisson at the front post. Momentum was on Chelsea’s side, and in the 67th minute, the visitors managed to grab a third.
Conor Gallagher made a tackle in midfield to pick up possession on the halfway line and surge towards the box. Gallagher found Palmer who sprayed a pass out to Mudryk, and the Ukranian finished off a fine team move by drilling the ball into Gallagher who swept the ball into the net after Liverpool failed to pick up his run.
Cody Gakpo had the golden chance to draw level when he was played through on goal in the 81st minute, but after taking the ball around the ‘keeper, the Dutchman could only find the side netting from a tight angle. Liverpool failed to grab a third, handing Klopp’s side their first home defeat of the season.
