Liverpool is gearing up for a crucial part of the season after the international break, with their next big challenge being a match against Chelsea on Sunday at Anfield.
The Reds are in excellent form, sitting at the top of the Premier League table after securing six wins out of seven games.
Their aim is to continue this momentum, but the match against Chelsea poses a significant test.
Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, has shown notable improvement compared to their previous season under Mauricio Pochettino.
Last season, the Blues finished sixth in the Premier League with 66 points, which qualified them for the Conference League.
However, the start of the 2023/24 season wasn’t smooth, but things have improved considerably since Maresca’s arrival.
Currently, Chelsea is placed sixth in the league with 14 points, although they have one game less than the teams in the fourth and fifth positions.
They will be hoping for a favorable outcome at Anfield to improve their standing in the league.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their form and stay ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, both of whom are close behind with only one point less.
The good news for Liverpool is the expected return of Federico Chiesa, a summer signing who missed the last two matches due to injury.
Reports suggest that he will be available for the clash against Chelsea, which boosts Liverpool’s chances in the game.
However, Chelsea will be without three key players for the match.
Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, and Omari Kellyman are all sidelined due to injuries, which could make their task at Anfield even more difficult as they face one of the strongest teams in the league.
Liverpool will also be without their main goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, who picked up an injury during their 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Alisson had to leave the field in the 79th minute due to the injury, and his return is not expected until after the next international break in November.
In his absence, Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will take his place.
Kelleher has only started in two matches for Liverpool but has impressed during his appearances, earning the trust of both the manager and the team.
For the match against Chelsea, Liverpool is expected to field a strong lineup.
Kelleher will start in goal, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate forming the central defensive partnership.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are expected to start as right-back and left-back, respectively.
In midfield, Liverpool will likely deploy a trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The front three will likely consist of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz, with Cody Gakpo expected to be on the bench.
This match is critical for both teams, as Liverpool aims to solidify their position at the top of the table, while Chelsea seeks to close the gap between themselves and the teams ahead of them.
The outcome will be crucial for both sides as they look to make a statement in their pursuit of Premier League success.
