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Liverpool and Chelsea lock horns in a high-stakes showdown at Anfield
Liverpool and Chelsea will face off in a blockbuster Premier League match on Wednesday night, with both teams aiming to keep up the pace with the leaders. The Reds are currently three points clear at the top of the table, while the Blues are ninth but only six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
This will be the eighth consecutive meeting between the two clubs that ends in a draw, including two domestic cup finals in 2022, both won by Liverpool on penalties. This is the longest run of consecutive draws between two top-flight teams in English football history.
However, both sides will be eager to break the deadlock and claim a crucial victory in the title race. Liverpool have been unstoppable at home, winning 14 of their last 15 league games at Anfield, scoring 47 goals and conceding only 12. Chelsea, on the other hand, have struggled on the road, losing five of their last six away games in all competitions, conceding 13 goals and scoring only seven.
The hosts will be without several key players due to injury or international duty, including Mohamed Salah, Joel Matip, Kostas Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara and Wataru Endo. However, they will welcome back Alexis Mac Allister, who missed the FA Cup win over Norwich as a precaution, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai, who all made substitute appearances last time out.
The visitors will also have to cope with some absentees, as Levi Colwill is ruled out by a minor injury, while Nicolas Jackson is doubtful after returning late from the Africa Cup of Nations. However, they will be boosted by the return of Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto, who missed the FA Cup draw with Aston Villa due to suspension and illness respectively.
The two managers, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, have a long-standing rivalry that dates back to their days in Germany, when they were in charge of Borussia Dortmund and Mainz respectively. Klopp has the upper hand in their head-to-head record, with six wins, five draws and only one loss in 12 meetings. Pochettino’s only win came in October 2017, when Tottenham thrashed Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley.
This promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the best teams in the country, with plenty of quality, intensity and drama on display. Liverpool will be hoping to extend their lead at the top and maintain their unbeaten run, while Chelsea will be looking to end their away woes and close the gap on the top four. It is a game that neither side can afford to lose, and one that could have a huge impact on the title race.