Liverpool vs Chelsea analysis: Five key battles and score prediction

The pick of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures sees a tantalising clash between Arne Slot’s high-flying Liverpool and Enzo Maresca’s entertaining Chelsea side.

From Luis Garcia’s ghost goal in 2005 to Demba Ba’s devastating capitalisation on Steven Gerrard’s slip in 2014, a classic rivalry is set to be renewed at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool have shown that they are a serious side this season, finding themselves top of the Premier League table coming into this matchweek. The Reds have won all-but one of their games this season and their defensive record is exceptional, conceding just two in the league.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are finally looking like a decent side after all the money they have spent, with Cole Palmer at the heart of their young and exciting team. The Blues under Maresca have been the entertainers so far this season as their games have seen loads of goals for and against, and they find themselves firmly in the top-four race.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Jon Shea takes a look at five of the key battles that may define where the game is won and lost.

Virgil van Dijk vs Nicolas Jackson

Virgil van Dijk was shown a red card on international duty for the Netherlands in their Nations League match against Hungary. The Dutchman has, however, largely looked back to his brilliant best under Slot this season.

Liverpool have been mostly unbreakable (unless you are Nottingham Forest) so far and look like they are not slowing down, and the foundations the defence provides for that success is key.

Van Dijk is relishing Liverpool’s new style of dominating the ball more as he is calm as anyone on the ball. He will have to deal with having a different goalkeeper in place for a few weeks as Allison picked up an injury in Liverpool’s last outing against Crystal Palace.

Nicolas Jackson had a good international break for Senegal, grabbing a goal in their match against Malawi.

Jackson has had his fair share of critics at Chelsea due to his lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, but he is always a threat and has netted a decent haul of four goals in seven games this season on top of his three assists.

He is a threat running in behind with his pace and movement, and the Senegalese could cause an issue for any defender - but he is up against the best defence in the league this weekend which he may find tough.

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Ryan Gravenberch vs Cole Palmer

Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation this season in Liverpool’s midfield engine room. He rarely loses the ball and is averaging 89.5% pass accuracy while also winning 80% of his tackles.

The Dutchman is certainly a powerhouse in that midfield and with how much Slot’s side love to have the ball and control games, he is a key figure in the team.

The man he has to deal with this weekend is Chelsea star Cole Palmer.

England forward Palmer has picked up from where he left off last season and is continuing to be a sensation. He has five goals and seven assists in seven games in the Premier League this season. Arguably the best player in the league right now, Palmer’s creativity is frightening.

You would imagine if Chelsea are going to have any chance of getting a result this weekend, he will be at the heart of it as he is a player who relishes the big occasion, never seeming to be fazed by it.

Maresca is certainly getting a very good tune out of Palmer so far this season, and for the team’s sake - long may it continue.

Andy Robertson vs Noni Madueke

Andy Robertson may not be at the peak of his powers compared to years gone by, but the Scotsman is still a quality player and defender. As mentioned, he is part of the defence that has conceded the fewest goals this season and can still deliver a delicious cross when he needs to.

Many find it tough to get much joy down his side as he is an aggressive tackler and rarely makes mistakes, offering nearly 90% pass accuracy from left-back. It is a tough task for any winger to play against the Scotsman, and this weekend it will be the turn of Noni Madueke.

Madueke has formed a formidable partnership with fellow England star Palmer as they look to be setting each other up for fun. The partnership was particularly on fire in Chelsea’s big wins over Wolves and Brighton - they can cause serious issues for any defence in the league.

Madueke has had a good start to the season, scoring goals, and is looking to be a real star for the future. He has been included in the last two England squads, proving he is making quite the impression on the set-up there.

On Sunday, he will be looking to make sure he is a shoe-in for the upcoming squads, and where else better to show your skills than on the Anfield turf.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Marc Cucurella

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in the headlines during the international break as rumours suggest he may be leaving Liverpool. The defender’s contract runs out at the end of the season, and reports suggest Real Madrid are wanting to sign him.

Liverpool fans, however, are keen to keep him as he is having another sensational season at right-back.

Alexander-Arnold has shown the unique ability of his unbelievable delivery throughout this season. He has been instrumental in Slot’s side so far - and grabbed himself a wonderful goal against Finland during the international break. When he is on song, he is a difficult man to stop from right-back, and Marc Cucurella will have his work cut out for him.

Cucurella has been much improved this season coming off the back of Spain’s Euro 2024 success in the summer. He has become a mainstay at left-back for Chelsea.

The Spaniard has had his critics since his move from Brighton but may be finding his feet under Maresca and starting to justify his fee. He will be hoping to form a partnership with new signing Jadon Sancho down that side.

Cucurella does not always grab the killer pass or assist, but he links up well with his team to help the frontmen do the creating and scoring, which is key in Maresca’s side.

Ultimately, it will be an interesting battle between the two down that side as both pose key threats to the other.

Arne Slot vs Enzo Maresca

Sunday’s meeting will be the first between the two coaches as both are still new to their respective roles.

Arne Slot has implemented a different style with this Liverpool side and they have taken to it, winning all-but one of their games in the league and conceding just two goals. Liverpool’s defence has improved hugely as they were penetrable in the season gone, but that back four now looks formidable.

A worry for Slot is that Allison will be missing for a few weeks with an injury, and his presence in goal is key to the defence. It is therefore up to the back-up goalkeepers to show their worth to Liverpool and slot right in.

Maresca is fitting in nicely at Stamford Bridge too, with Chelsea showing their capabilities as a young side to score many goals. With Palmer being the key, Chelsea have swept aside teams this season and find themselves in the hunt for the top four.

It will be a statement for Maresca to go to Anfield and win in the league as Thomas Tuchel was the last manager to win there in the league, back in 2021.

His side is certainly capable of causing problems for Slot’s side, but whether that will be enough to stop the juggernaut of the Premier League leaders remains to be seen.

Score prediction: Liverpool 3 Chelsea 1