One of the curious quirks about football is the manner in which rivalries can often spawn from nowhere.
The edge between Liverpool and Chelsea is one of those instances. While they’re teams at different ends of the country, prior to 2005 there was no discernible reason for the two sets of fans to despise one another. But after a “ghost goal” in a Champions League semi-final and a string of other massive clashes, enemies were born.
Now, whenever the two teams square up there’s a buzz. Memories of those epic contests flood back, players get caught up in the emotion of the occasion and matches are typically pulsating contests.
Liverpool fans goad Chelsea supporters with chants of “you ain’t got no history”, while the Blues respond with calls of “you’re ancient history.” There are so many differences between the clubs in terms of their supporters, the accompanying cultures and their success on the field in recent years that make this fixture so watchable.
But there are also similarities between the teams that can be drawn upon ahead of Saturday’s meeting when the latest chapter of this rivalry will be written.
Early in 2017-18 both teams struggled for their best and both have had to deal with the fresh challenges of European football. Yet domestically, as of late, they each appear to have turned something of a corner in the buildup to this match.
Liverpool’s mindset will be clear on this one—they’ll want to attack the visitors from the off, as they tend to do in every game on home soil.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have hit their attacking straps lately too. In their last five matches they’ve scored at least three goals, with Mohamed Salah, a former Chelsea man, taking to life at his new club so serenely; he’ll be hoping to add to his 14 goals already this term against his old club.
What continues to concern Liverpool supporters are the defensive collapses that have blemished their season. On Tuesday in the Champions League we were witness to another one, as the Reds threw away a 3-0 lead in the second half against Sevilla.
That’ll prompt some apprehension among all associated with Liverpool on Saturday, especially up against a Chelsea attack that’s also settled down as of late.
The catalyst for the Blues’ strong recent form has been the return in earnest of Eden Hazard. While the Belgian has been around the team this term, he’s never appeared to be fully recovered from the injury that ruled him out of pre-season. All the signs now point to a player that’s at full tilt.
Hazard pulled apart West Bromwich Albion in a 4-0 win last weekend. His close control, bursts of pace and calmness in decision making in the final third makes him such a challenge for defenders to deal with.
Factor in the continued brilliance of Alvaro Morata and the playmaking skills of Cesc Fabregas—who is pushing further forward in Conte’s current 3-4-1-2 setup—a Liverpool defence that appeared so shaky in midweek will be hauled under the microscope again here.
In fairness to the Reds, on home soil they have been much more assured at the back in the main, with just one goal conceded at Anfield this season in six Premier League games. And it’s rare for opponents to open the game up against Liverpool given how dangerous the likes of Salah, Sadio Mane, and Philippe Coutinho are with space to operate in.
Conte won’t instruct his side to make the match frantic, nor will he adopt the ultra-defensive blueprint utilized by Jose Mourinho and Manchester United at Anfield earlier in the season. But you sense he will want control in all areas of the field.
If they can do that, take the sting out of the atmosphere and start finding Hazard in space in the final third, the Blues have a chance to secure what’d be a massive win. They’ve shown this season they’re capable in the big games too, beating United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Atletico Madrid.
Still, Liverpool have performed well in front of their own supporters and will be desperate to respond after letting such a commanding position slip against Sevilla. A tight game between two evenly matched teams is surely on the cards.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Tips
Match result 1-1 (7.50 William Hill)
Under 2.5 goals overall (2.21 Marathon Bet)
Liverpool halftime/Draw full time (17.00 BetVictor)
Calculators
