Liverpool can take a giant step towards securing Champions League qualification this afternoon – and salvage something from what has been a largely underwhelming season – with a win at home to Chelsea.
The Reds set out with high hopes of defending their Premier League crown after a summer spending spree which appeared to have bolstered an already-strong squad.
But the death of Diogo Jota understandably threw them off kilter and it has been an uphill struggle ever since the first few weeks.
The Merseysiders have six-point advantage over sixth-placed Bournemouth and a superior goal difference following last Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester United.
A win over the struggling visitors ought to be enough to claim a top-five finish, although Aston Villa’s qualification for the Europa League final has also opened the possibility of sixth being sufficient to secure a seat at Europe’s top table.
If Liverpool’s season has been underwhelming, the same can certainly be said for Chelsea’s.
The Blues head to Anfield in ninth and with interim boss Calum McFarlane insisting his players are eager to finish the season strongly.
He said: ”We want to turn it around. We know the standards this club has set and we aren’t meeting them at the moment.
“The only thing we can control is how we behave and act every single day and how we work to turn that level of performance around.”
Where to watch Liverpool v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Kick-off is at 12.30pm UK time. In the UK, live coverage is on TNT Sports. Streaming is on the HBO MMax app.
TNT Sports costs £30.99 a month, including Eurosport and entertainment and available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
If you’re watching from outside the UK, click HERE for details of the channels showing the game in your region.
Stats for Liverpool v Chelsea
- Chelsea are looking to complete their first double over Liverpool since the 2013/14 season
- Chelsea have won one of their last 10 league trips to Anfield
- Chelsea have conceded in each of their last 13 Premier League games – their worst run since 1991
