| It's sure to be an emotional return for Rafa on Sunday... Image: mirror.co.uk |
There are no new injury worries for Liverpool but there's still a long list of players out including Fabio Borini and Joe Allen. Chelsea are also looking pretty strong squad wise but there are slight doubts hanging over Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill.
Chelsea have lost 2 out of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions going into this game whilst Liverpool have only lost 1. Liverpool though have been on a bit of a goal drought, no goals scored against both Reading and West Ham was also coupled with a dire and very frustrating performance in both games. It appears that sides lower in the table and sides that will defend to the hilt are very much a stumbling block for us, Chelsea though will definitely attack and we always seem to come out in the big games.
The last time the two sides met was in November last year. The game ended 1-1 with Luis Suarez scoring towards the end of the game to seal Liverpool's point. Chelsea's last visit to Anfield makes even better reading for Reds, a 4-1 win for Liverpool left the Londoners pretty embarrassed. The last time Chelsea notched up a win at Anfield was in 2010.
Stat Sandwich
- Liverpool are 19 points better off than they were at this stage last season.
- Fernando Torres has scored 14 goals in 75 league games for Chelsea, he scored 50 in 72 at Liverpool.
- Suarez is one goal away from scoring 30 goals in all competitions.
As briefly mentioned above I feel Liverpool will really come out of their shell in this game, the last two performances were frustrating and weren't helped certainly against Reading by a superb keeper but we didn't fail to win through a lack of chances, perhaps just through a lack of conversion. When a team is so focused on blocking you out though then that isn't so surprising, Chelsea however will slip up in defence, all of their focus is on scoring and getting all 3 points so Liverpool will be able to penetrate gaps left and catch their defence off guard however Chelsea may do exactly the same to us.
I feel as though Suarez is definitely due a goal and with the 30 land mark hanging in front of him he'll be even more eager (if that's possible). The Uruguayan would love a goal on Sunday and I can see him getting us off the mark. For once I've not actually decided on a prediction yet for this clash but keep an eye on Twitter as I'll be sure to pop a quid on something tomorrow before kick off.
Enjoy the match folks! And if you're going, give Rafa an applause from me!