Liverpool vs. Chelsea

Lukker-

Location: Anfield
Date: 31 January 2017
Kick-off: 8PM
Where to watch: BT Sport 1 7PM

Liverpool possible XI: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum Firmino, Coutinho, Lallana


Chelsea possible XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Matic, Kante, Alonso, Hazard, Pedro, Costa

Chelsea injuries: None
Liverpool injuries: Clyne (rib, doubtful), Mane (returning from AFCON, bench most likely)

Vanolder

Chelsea by 2 goals.

Lovely Bloke

Hopefully Chelsea do some damage to Pool's GD

Also, hopefully it's too windy for Klopp's footballistic plans to take shape.

GavRedKing

I cant see Liverpool losing 4 home games in a row and I'd take a draw before kick off anyway, theyve not lost to a top 6 side yet this season and I dont think we'll change that.

sReq | uTeK

On form it's a walkover for Chelsea

Knex*

Henderson to beat Costa in the staring competition.

Klopp to headbutt Conte on the sideline, who responds in turn by effortlessly strangling him with a handkerchief.

Mignolet to win a corner from a direct goal kick, pulling ahead of Karius who's currently stagnating with a score of -1.

Chelsea to win three nil. Victory Moses with a brace.

Vicxas

Ugh! This game couldn't come at a worse time, but i'm hoping we can pull a result out like we did with City.

Red Kev

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

[*]Liverpool are unbeaten in the last four league meetings (W2, D2).
[*]However, they have failed to win any of the last four home league games against Chelsea (D2, L2).
[*]The Reds are looking to complete a league double after winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in September.


Liverpool

[*]Liverpool have only won one of their last eight matches (D3, L4) in all competitions, losing their last three in a row.
[*]They have lost three consecutive competitive games at Anfield for the first time since October 2012, having previously been undefeated at Anfield this season (W9, D3).
[*]However, if Liverpool beat Chelsea, their points tally of 48 will equal the club record after 23 matches of a Premier League season (from 2008-09).
[*]Jurgen Klopp has lost just one of his 14 Premier League meetings against the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal (W6, D7).
[*]The Reds haven't won any of their league matches without Sadio Mane (D1, L2), scoring only three goals in those three fixtures.


Chelsea

[*]Chelsea have won 15 of their last 16 league games, with their only defeat coming away to Tottenham.
[*]The Blues have kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League this season - no team in Europe's top five leagues has kept more.
[*]Antonio Conte's side are the lowest scorers away from home among the Premier League's top five this season with 17 goals.
[*]Diego Costa has scored in 15 of his last 21 Premier League matches (16 goals in total).



SAM's verdict

• Most probable score: 1-1
• Probability of draw: 25%
• Probability of home win: 38%
• Probability of away win: 37%

SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

Wouldn't bet against Liverpool to get a result
But I would bet on them getting beat by Hull the following game

Red Kev

Overall Liverpool V Chelsea:
Games won: 77
Games drawn: 38
Games lost: 61


Last 10 in the PL:

• 08 May 2012 Liverpool v Chelsea W 4-1 Premier League
• 11 Nov 2012 Chelsea v Liverpool D 1-1 Premier League
• 21 Apr 2013 Liverpool v Chelsea D 2-2 Premier League
• 29 Dec 2013 Chelsea v Liverpool L 2-1 Premier League
• 27 Apr 2014 Liverpool v Chelsea L 0-2 Premier League
• 08 Nov 2014 Liverpool v Chelsea L 1-2 Premier League
• 10 May 2015 Chelsea v Liverpool D 1-1 Premier League
• 31 Oct 2015 Chelsea v Liverpool W 1-3 Premier League
• 11 May 2016 Liverpool v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
• 16 Sep 2016 Chelsea v Liverpool W 1-2 Premier League

NukaCola

I'd be surprised if Liverpool can get a win here. A draw maybe. Chelsea are excellent this season and the Chelsea that Liverpool beat are long gone. I'd take a draw but it will probably be Chelsea by 1 or 2 goals.

CantGetNoSleep

Staying out of this thread until Liverpool lose, always gets fun then

GLaDOS

Liverpool have generally stepped it up against the bigger opposition this season, so I reckon a 1-1 draw.

Barr

On recent form it is difficult to see how the Pool could win this , they might nick a draw at best.

yabadabado

Pool need a win, a loss and their season is over.

fyfe79

yabadabado wrote: »

Pool need a win, a loss and their season is over.

They won't have Champions League or Europa League football to play for if they lose tonight?

I'd more say a defeat tonight probably ends any slim hopes of winning the title.

GavRedKing

yabadabado wrote: »

Pool need a win, a loss and their season is over.

I think theyve a very slight chance of the league but if they lose tonight they're still well in the hunt for a top 4 spot and its very much in their hands.

Exact same applies to Chelsea, if we lose tonight, the title is still in our hands.

Iused2likebusts

fyfe79 wrote: »

They won't have Champions League or Europa League football to play for if they lose tonight?

No the season is over if they lose tonight. Luckily they have reached the 40 pt mark as the last month is how the rest of the season is going to pan out. Forget the previous 4 months the decline is irreversible everyone has klopp sussed out and he needs to find an alternative way of playing . The players can't play his pressing style any longer despite the fact they were praised for doing so against utd 2 league games ago.

Richard Hillman

If Pool are out of the Champions and Europa League's next season, they will have a great chance of the league next year.

CantGetNoSleep

Richard Hillman wrote: »

If Pool are out of the Champions and Europa League's next season, they will have a great chance of the league next year.

And if not they have an excuse to wait for the year after

citytillidie

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

May lock the thread already if this is the way it is going with 3 hours to kick off

M United POV: Roll on a 4th consecutive home defeat for the Scouse.

My neutral POV: Liverpool will probably win this.

yabadabado

fyfe79 wrote: »

They won't have Champions League or Europa League football to play for if they lose tonight?

I'd more say a defeat tonight probably ends any slim hopes of winning the title.

Did I say that ?
Football is about winning if they lose tonight what can they win? Do you win top 4 ?

martyos121

citytillidie wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

May lock the thread already if this is the way it is going with 3 hours to kick off

World record for match thread gone to the dogs the quickest?

Nalz

2-3 Chelsea

niallo27

yabadabado wrote: »

Did I say that ?
Football is about winning if they lose tonight what can they win? Do you win top 4 ?

You said their season is over though. Trying to get into the top 4 was the main priority at the start of the season so how can you say the season is over.

jayo26

Liverpool will be too strong for chelsea can't see any other result...... ill eat my hat if they don't win this!!!

sword1

Surely matip starts

GavRedKing

We've a fully fit squad so it will probably be :

Courtois
Azp Luiz Cahill
Moses Kante Matic Alonso
Pedro Costa Hazard

Iused2likebusts

GavRedKing wrote: »

We've a fully fit squad so it will probably be :

Courtois
Azp Luiz Cahill
Moses Kante Matic Alonso
Pedro Costa Hazard

Willian over Pedro for his workrate maybe.

Liam McPoyle

1-0 to the home side.

90 minutes of Kloppenbussen to hold off Chelsea.

4 minutes of Hoofenpressen resulting in Moreno scoring from the bench.

Mr. FoggPatches

Have sky given this a name yet?

I'm going with titan Tuesday, initially. But turgid Tuesday by half time.

GavRedKing

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

Willian over Pedro for his workrate maybe.

Both started the FA cup game but I'd prefer if Pedro started, hes a better player than Willian and more of a threat too.

His work rate is immense also but Willian is much quicker so would be good for the counter attack if we try and go that way.

GavRedKing

Mr. FoggPatches wrote: »

Have sky given this a name yet?

I'm going with titan Tuesday, initially. But turgid Tuesday by half time.

Its on BT so Sky have decided it doesnt exist

Mr. FoggPatches

GavRedKing wrote: »

Both started the FA cup game but I'd prefer if Pedro started, hes a better player than Willian and more of a threat too.

.

I don't agree with that. I'd take willian over Pedro any day.

prettyboy81

God knows what to expect tonight....2-1 LFC!

sky88

think liverpool will sneak this they've been good against the big teams this season.

Mr. FoggPatches

GavRedKing wrote: »

Its on BT so Sky have decided it doesnt exist

So mickey owen and rio ?
:facepalm:

fyfe79

yabadabado wrote: »

Did I say that ?
Football is about winning if they lose tonight what can they win? Do you win top 4 ?

In a way, yes you did. Season's over. By that logic, following a defeat tonight Klopp should only play the youths and reserves in the remaining games to run the rule over them before next season. At least that way, the games might be worth something considering the seasons over.

GavRedKing

Mr. FoggPatches wrote: »

I don't agree with that. I'd take willian over Pedro any day.

You've not watched them enough so.

Willian is all huff and puff with very little end product from crossing or shooting.

Pedro is a better player, Wilian is just quicker on the break but slows down the play too often.

If im being honest, I'd probably drop Hazard but that wont happen, hes been sh*te for a few games now too.

Harry Palmr

GavRedKing

Team is

Courtois
Azp Luiz Cahill
Moses Kante Matic Alonso
Wilian Costa Hazard

Subs:
Begovic
Terry Zouma
Chalobah Cesc
Pedro
Batshuayi

Lukker-

I'd be targeting Clyne, fairly fast recovery from a bruised rib.

fyfe79

Not a bad LFC bench, nice to start having players available again.

CantGetNoSleep

Ake not on bench, moving on?

GavRedKing

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Ake not on bench, moving on?

Nah, he travelled with the squad, hes in Liverpool.

Iused2likebusts

GavRedKing wrote: »

You've not watched them enough so.

Willian is all huff and puff with very little end product from crossing or shooting.

Pedro is a better player, Wilian is just quicker on the break but slows down the play too often.

If im being honest, I'd probably drop Hazard but that wont happen, hes been sh*te for a few games now too.

Your spot on with that Pedro has a much better end product. I can see why he went with willian tonight and I'd suspect Pedro will be back in for the arsenal game. Feeling much better about benching Pedro in Fantasy football my hunch was right.

GavRedKing

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

Your spot on with that Pedro has a much better end product. I can see why he went with willian tonight and I'd suspect Pedro will be back in for the arsenal game. Feeling much better about benching Pedro in Fantasy football my hunch was right.

I think hes benched Pedro for Willians pace on the counter, something Liverpool seem to have been caught by recently is teams springing on them very quickly.

Pedro, a technically superior footbaler just isnt as quick so I can see it but I'd prefer if he started, he creates a lot of space for others and can finish off both feet.

jayo26

fyfe79 wrote: »

Not a bad LFC bench, nice to start having players available again.

How is that not a bad bench? Apart from Mane every other player has been slated in the LFc thread lately as a reason of dropping points or a loss.

Crackle

Going by recent form, Chelsea should win. However, Conte has taken a conservative approach in games against the top 6 and Chelsea's recent record against Liverpool isn't great.

It'll be a tight game. I'd take a draw now, but I think Liverpool will edge this 2-1.

CantGetNoSleep

jayo26 wrote: »

How is that not a bad bench? Apart from Mane every other player has been slated in the LFc thread lately as a reason of dropping points or a loss.

First time in a while that they have experienced options in a couple of positions