Afternoon…
15:25: Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League.
We’re at Anfield today for what could easily be the title-defining fixture for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Now where have I heard that before?
Ah yes, 2014. Today’s visit of Chelsea, almost exactly five years since Jose Mourinho’s team derailed the Reds’ title bid with a 2-0 win at Anfield, has resulted in parallels being drawn with the last time the Merseysiders were in contention for the Premier League.
But this is a new year, side and manager. Can Liverpool heap the pressure on Manchester City? We’ll find out shortly.
LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson will return to the side having been suspended for the midweek Champions League win over Porto. That means James Milner, the Scotland captain’s stand-in on Tuesday, is available for a midfield role – giving manager Jurgen Klopp a selection dilemma as Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson have both performed well in the last two matches. Fellow midfielder Adam Lallana is expected to return to the squad after missing the last two games with a muscle injury.
Chelsea will assess Callum Hudson-Odoi before opting whether to field the England teenager. Hudson-Odoi sat out Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League win at Slavia Prague with Maurizio Sarri insisting he needed to rest.
Last season: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0, Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1
Last five league matches: Liverpool D W W W W; Chelsea D L W W W
Top scorers (all competitions): Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 21; Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 19
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
