The most high-profile fixture of the Premier League weekend takes place this afternoon as Liverpool and Chelsea lock horns in a huge showdown on Merseyside. It’s an intriguing battle between two teams who have both made highly impressive starts to their respective new eras, the Reds going into the latest international break sitting top of the table after winning all but one of their first 10 matches across all competitions under Arne Slot.
Liverpool can capitalise on 10-man Arsenal’s slip-up at Bournemouth with another statement victory on Sunday, with defending champions Manchester City first in action at winless Wolves. But they could face a difficult challenge from a Chelsea side who have already shown signs of swift progress under Enzo Maresca, heading into the weekend perched in fourth place having not been beaten since their home defeat by City on opening day.
Captain Reece James is back fit in a huge boost for Chelsea, who have Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella both suspended. Liverpool, meanwhile, are without injured goalkeeper Alisson Becker with Caoimhin Kelleher set to deputise. Follow Liverpool vs Chelsea live below, with expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Chelsea latest news
Kick-off time: 4.30pm BST | Anfield
How to watch: Sky Sports
Liverpool team news: Kelleher to replace injured Alisson
Chelsea team news: James back; Fofana and Cucurella banned
Score prediction
Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction
13:41 , George Flood
A win for either side would be a statement victory but there would appear to be little to split the sides as things stand.
Draw, 1-1.
Chelsea team news
13:39 , George Flood
Chelsea have Reece James fit and available for the first time this season after their injury-plagued captain resumed training this week following his latest hamstring issues.
But Enzo Maresca is likely to take a cautious approach with the right-back, who may be on the bench at Anfield.
Chelsea have a clean bill of health aside from absent youngster Omari Kellyman, though Ben Chilwell has been dealing with illness in recent days.
Noni Madueke and Levi Colwill both shrugged off knocks suffered in the feisty 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest before the international break to play for England in the Nations League.
Maresca has some defensive decisions to make with Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella each serving automatic one-match bans today after both picking up their fifth yellow cards of the Premier League season already against Forest, just seven games in.
Liverpool team news
13:33 , George Flood
Liverpool are without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is expected to miss around six weeks with the hamstring injury that forced him off during the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace before the international break.
Long-time deputy Caoimhin Kelleher is poised to deputise for the Brazilian once again after shrugging off an illness, having missed the game at Selhurst Park as third-choice Vitezslav Jaros had to come on instead.
Harvey Elliott is still absent with a foot injury, while fellow midfielder Wataru Endo has also been dealing with illness.
The Reds will hope that lone summer signing Federico Chiesa has shaken off his latest fitness problems to play some part this afternoon, while Alexis Mac Allister should also feature after playing for Argentina despite his own knock suffered against Palace a fortnight ago.
Where to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea
13:29
TV channel: Today’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage beginning at 4pm BST after Manchester City have faced Wolves at Molineux.
Live stream:Â Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the game on a live stream online via the Sky Go app.
Liverpool vs Chelsea live
13:26 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest live coverage of Liverpool vs Chelsea.
We have a huge afternoon in store on Merseyside as the early Premier League pacesetters look to continue their fine start to life under Arne Slot against a Blues side who have already made plenty of impressive progress since Enzo Maresca’s summer arrival.
Kick-off today is at 4:30pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up including all the latest team news and lineups.
We’ll have live updates throughout the game, featuring expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Anfield.
