Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the one of the most important matches of the season where Chelsea will look to seal the deal by getting all 3 points and getting one hand on the Premier League title, while Liverpool who have just been knocked out of the Europa league will be looking to bounce back and make a statement by beating the league leaders and also aid their cause of making it in Europe next season, and in the process do their bitter age old rivals Manchester United a huge favor, as given Liverpool Beat or Draw against Chelsea Manchester united will have the chance to go on and win both of their last matches to win the league 4th consecutive season.
Liverpool's 4-0 win at Burnley was their first league away win this year, and team captain Steven Gerrard knows that is unacceptable for a club like Liverpool. Gerrard, who scored twice in an outstanding performance at Turf Moor, was heartened by the Reds' improved display against the Clarets even if it may have come too late to affect the race for fourth.
If Chelsea's performance against Stoke City on Sunday is anything to go by, then they should have no reason to fear Liverpool this weekend. They romped to a 7-0 victory at Stamford Bridge with Salomon Kalou notching a hat-trick in the process. That result means they have won five of their last six games with a solitary 2-1 defeat at Spurs.
Since Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at rivals Manchester United on March 21, they have won three and drawn two of their five games to enhance their European chances.
But talismanic front-man Fernando Torres is out of their final fixtures of the season. Dirk Kuyt is undergoing extensive treatment on a calf injury but he is a big doubt for the clash while David NGog is also set for a late fitness test. Left-back Emiliano Insua will be missing with a thigh muscle problem.
Chelsea are likely to be without midfield enforcers John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien through knee problems while Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho could return but compatriot Jose Bosingwa is definitely out. Earlier this season in London, Chelsea claimed an important 2-0 win when the two sides met thanks to goals from France pair Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda. While Last season's contest at Stamford Bridge saw Liverpool end Chelsea's mesmeric 86-game unbeaten home run in the Premier League.
The fact that the Blues have had a week to prepare for this match while Liverpool had the small matter of a Europa League semi-final gives Chelsea an advantage. However, Liverpool are always strong at home and despite the rivalry between themselves and Manchester United will be right up for this match. After all, they still have an outside chance of 4th spot and will want to prove they are still one of the Premier League’s best teams. The Reds domestic form is good and nine wins and a draw from their last ten home league games suggests Chelsea will have to be at their best to get the win they need.
For the first time since the 2003/04 season these two clubs will only meet each other twice. This makes a change as in the previous five seasons; they’ve clashed a total of 24 times. Chelsea have enjoyed a few good wins at Anfield in recent years including a Champions League win there last season but that remains their last victory in the last six visits in all competitions. A win for Manchester United at Sunderland is no foregone conclusion but with the champions having the bit between their teeth, three points for Chelsea with a home game against Wigan to follow would surely be enough to bring the title back to Stamford Bridge.
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