It has been precisely the kind of effect which Jurgen Klopp expected his announcement would have on the Liverpool squad. Norwich were the poor team on the opposite side of Liverpool’s first game at Anfield after the announcement as they were brushed aside 5-2.
Chelsea are up next in the Premier League when they travel to Anfield on January 31, 8.15 PM GMT.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side continue to swing from brilliant to frustrating. A 6-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough was followed by a home draw against Aston Villa in the cup. That is hardly the kind of result Pochettino would have liked going into this game.
Here’s the match preview, team news, and prediction for the game as Jurgen Klopp’s swansong at Liverpool faces its first marquee fixture.
Liverpool vs Chelsea preview
Liverpool are absolutely flying. To Klopp’s credit, he didn’t want to leave a shattered team in the hands of his predecessor so an overhaul was completed in the summer to create “Liverpool 2.0”.
That version is bossing games, scoring goals, and looks like having fun. Add to that the emotional angle now of winning it all for their departing manager, they will be on a mission this season.
It’s bad news for Pochettino’s Chelsea who haven’t handled games against big teams well this season. Their collection of youngsters without any guidance on the pitch lends this game to be the worst game they could have had on the horizon in current circumstances.
They were getting a semblance of form in the league, winning four out of their last five but that progress could be brought to a screeching halt here.
Liverpool vs Chelsea predicted lineups
Liverpool team news
There are no new absentees or returnees for Liverpool and Klopp will be pleased to say that a rotated side managed to do the business against Norwich.
Mohamed Salah’s injury continues to haunt Liverpool but attackers have stepped up in his absence to keep the team humming, a theme of this season.
Joel Matip, Thiago, Bajcetic, Tsimikas, and Endo join the Egyptian on the treatment table with Tsimikas being the one to make his return the earliest of the bunch. This one still comes too soon for him.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Mac Allister, Elliott, Jones, Nunez, Jota, Diaz
Chelsea team news
Chelsea will be hoping to get some players back for this game and Pochettino will be thankful for it considering the magnitude of the game. Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku are expected to be available for this one but unlikely to start. Nkunku, especially, will be carefully built back up to speed after an injury-riddled spell at Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Gusto should also be on the bench because Axel Disasi has unexpectedly flourished on the right.
Pivot of Caicedo and Fernandez will continue, while the coach has choices in attack. One player whose position is under no doubt is Cole Palmer, who has had a breakout season.
Armando Broja might make way for Gallagher if Pochettino opts to match Liverpool’s energy.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Colvill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Gallagher, Mudryk, Palmer
Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction
It is hard to look beyond Liverpool, probably for any game they play this season from this point on onwards. Of course, it doesn’t mean that they will win every game till the end of the season, but their players’ desire to send a legendary figure away with a trophy-laden season cannot be understated.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are inconsistent and under the harsh lights of Anfield, might wilt due to the rabid start Klopp’s “gegenpressing” team will make.
Expect Chelsea to fall behind after an early goal as Klopp’s charges pile on the pressure to inflict a loss on Chelsea to prove that the two teams are in extremely different stages of their development.
FootTheBall predicts Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea.