Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield hoping to maintain their spot at the top of the Premier League table. Arne Slot has had a fantastic start to his tenure as Liverpool manager with six wins from his first seven top-flight outing.
The Reds came into the weekend with a slender lead over Manchester City and Arsenal though the Gunners failed to capitalise when they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Liverpool’s last outing was a 1-0 away win at Crystal Palace and Slot will hope that his players have had sufficient recovery time over the international break ahead of what is undoubtedly the biggest test the Reds have faced yet with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea flying in the league.
The former Leicester City manager has settled nicely at Stamford Bridge steering the Blues to four wins from their seven matches and beating Liverpool will be his biggest statement so far. The hosts ran away 4-1 winners in the same fixture last season so Chelsea have their work cut out this afternoon.
Follow all the Premier League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE
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Liverpool host Chelsea in the Premier League with kick off at 4.30pm
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Reds come into weekend top of the table with six wins from seven
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Chelsea have made a strong start to life under Enzo Maresca and hope for statement win at Anfield
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Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
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Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Liverpool FC – Chelsea FC
Liverpool vs Chelsea team changes
15:25 , Mike Jones
Arne Slot makes three changes to the Liverpool team that defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 in their final match before the international break.
Alisson is injured so Caoimhin Kelleher will be in goal while Andy Robertson takes up his place at left-back ahead of Kostas Tsimikas. Further up the pitch, Alexis Mac Allister is replaced with Dominik Szoboszlai.
For Chelsea, the big news is that captain and right-back Reece James returns! The defender has recovered from a long-term injury to take his place in the starting line-up.
Elsewhere, Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella drop out with Tosin Adarabioyo and Romeo Lavia brought back in.
Liverpool vs Chelsea line-ups
15:15 , Mike Jones
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Team news
15:10 , Chris Wilson
A reminder of the early team news – we’re around five minutes away from knowing the line-ups.
Liverpool will be without Alisson, while Harvey Elliott continues to recover from a fractured foot. Federico Chiesa could be available after recovering from an unspecified injury which ruled him out of Italy’s internationals.
Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are suspended, though Reece James is back in training after a period out with a hamstring injury.
Reece James injury latest after Enzo Maresca provides update on Chelsea star’s return
15:00 , Chris Wilson
Reece James is fit to return for Chelsea against Liverpool after his latest injury with Enzo Maresca revealing a new plan to ensure the right-back remains fit.
James has not featured for the Blues this season after sustaining another hamstring issue.
But after training with the group over the international break, Maresca can call on the 24-year-old for the trip to Anfield.
Chelsea handed boost as Enzo Maresca provides Reece James injury update
Liverpool vs Chelsea team news: Alisson injury blow for Reds as Reece James nears Blues return
14:55 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea travel to face Liverpool as Premier League football returns following the international break, but the Reds have been handed an injury blow ahead of the weekend.
Alisson is set to remain on the sidelines for the clash against Chelsea after sustaining a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace.
Caoimhin Kelleher will deputise in goal, with Arne Slot confirming the Brazil remains out for a “couple of weeks” due to the problem.
Reece James has trained over the international break and will be in the squad on Sunday, while Maresca must contend without suspended duo Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella.
Liverpool vs Chelsea team news: Alisson injury blow for Reds as James nears return
Predicted line-ups
14:50 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Team news
14:45 , Chris Wilson
Marc Cucurella is suspended, meaning the versatile Renato Veiga could fill in at left-back. Reece James is back in training after a period out with a hamstring injury but will likely start from the bench.
Wesley Fofana is out due to a one-game suspension, meaning Tosin Adarabioyo could deputise.
Team news
14:40 , Chris Wilson
Arne Slot must contend without the injured Alisson Becker between the sticks, meaning another chance for Caoimhin Kelleher.
Harvey Elliott continues to recover from a fractured foot and while this game comes too soon, a return in the near future is possible. Federico Chiesa could be available after recovering from an unspecified injury which ruled him out of Italy’s internationals.
Is Liverpool v Chelsea on TV?
14:35 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool vs Chelsea is due to kick off at 4:30pm BST on Sunday 20 October at Anfield.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on these channels beginning at 4pm. Subscribers can stream the action on Sky Go or Now TV.
Is Liverpool vs Chelsea on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE
14:30 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool host Chelsea later today looking to end the weekend on top of the Premier League.
Arne Slot goes head-to-head with Enzo Maresca in a fascinating battle at Anfield between two form teams.
The Reds entered the weekend with a slender lead over title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, after grinding out a win at Crystal Palacebefore the break, while the Blues will look to build on a promising start under their new manager.
The hosts ran away 4-1 winners in the same fixture last season, with Diogo Jota, Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz on the scoresheet, with only Christopher Nkunku in reply for the visitors.
Good afternoon!
11:15 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action with Liverpool taking on Chelsea in a blockbuster clash at Anfield.
The Reds came into the weekend top of the table and will remain above Manchester City if they pick up all three points. Chelsea pose a significant threat and kick off a run of testing fixtures that will give a clearer insight into how Arne Slot’s team are performing.
For the Blues, Enzo Marseca has instilled a swagger and attacking verve to the team since taking over in the summer and they will be quietly confident of securing a positive result in Merseyside.
We’ll have all the updates, team news and more throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 4.30pm.
