LFC: Liverpool vs Chelsea - Match Preview

"Sweet Revenge"

Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool have endured a torrid set of fixtures against Chelsea in the past couple of years. From Captain Fantastic's 'slip' that ultimately resulted into the reds cost of the title being the worst of highlights, to a Luis Suarez bite on Chelsea's Ivanovic proving to be one of the Uruguayan's numerous incidents at the Anfield club (And not many professionals can accumulate their very own 'biting' list). That Demba Ba goal which gave Chelsea the lead at Anfield last April looks set to be the final straw, as the red men seek revenge on the team that seemingly gifted the blue half of Manchester the title last season.

Important Information & Statistics

Date: 8th November 2014                                        Chelsea League Position: 1st, 26 Points

Time: 12:45 pm                                                       Liverpool League Position: 7th, 14 Points

Venue: Anfield                                                        Liverpool Recent Form: LDWWDL

Referee: Anthony Taylor                                         Chelsea Recent Form: DWWWDW

The Reds' Miserable Start - Will it Continue?

Having 'Own Goal-3' as Liverpool's top goal scorer epitomizes the reds' abysmal start to a campaign that began withholding so much optimism and aspirations, following last season's endeavours. Much to the contrary, every single commodity that could have possibly gone wrong has done exactly that, leaving Liverpool in 7th place. With high-flying league leaders Chelsea up next, what could possibly go wrong?

One thing is for certain, Brendan is in dire need of a positive result at the moment, and whilst outlining the importance to this league campaign by resting a number of key players at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, the boss will be hoping that the likes of Stevie G, Balotelli, Coutinho, and Sterling will all be fresh and raring to go. Most fans would take a draw, I say fair enough. I personally view this as a 'must-win' fixture, but will Rodgers' doubters be left red faced or in further doubt after the full time whistle on Saturday afternoon?

Team News - Brendan Faces Selection Headache Following 'B' Teams' Bernabeu Performance

99.9 % of reds fans worldwide must admit to feeling somewhat 'gob-smacked' after Rodgers' starting line up was revealed prior to kick off last Tuesday. Gerrard, Coutinho, and Balotelli where a few of many key faces rested for the big match, with Brendan himself explaining it as pure 'squad rotation'. Now, there are fixtures where squad rotation is necessary, then there are matches against the ten times winners Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, where putting out a strong starting eleven is of essence.

With this being said, the team Rodgers opted for left us with cause for optimism as Madrid settled for a mere 1-0 win. This also confirms the fact that one or two of our so-called 'first team certainties' are in need of some time-out on the sidelines. The teams' performance on Wednesday has given the boss a massive selection headache. Does he risk it once again, in hope that a couple of his fringe players make it count in front of goal this time round, or does Brendan stick with the same team of which has failed him on numerous occasions thus far this season?

Whereas injuries and suspensions are concerned, Rodgers can feel pretty content. Apart from eagerly awaited return of Daniel Sturridge, who Brendan has marked 'too early' for this fixture, and a slight niggle where Enrique is concerned, Liverpool will enter the match as fresh as a daisy following their European outing midweek.

Kolo & Borini - Is it About Time They Are Given a Chance?

The 'Where's Ronaldo?'  campaign seems to have gathered pace of late, with Kolo Toure's back pocket proving to be the Portuguese's last known location. Jokes aside, Kolo and Fabio were undoubtedly Liverpool's star performers on Tuesday night, which has resulted in many Liverpool fans expressing their desire in watching the duo start this weekend. Kolo's experience and leadership qualities have been echoed by the boss prior to the fixture, and I do believe he will be the centre-back to partner Skrtel against Chelsea. Whereas Fabio is concerned though, I reckon that Brendan does not seem to give the lad the chances and praise he rightly deserves.

You know what you are going to get with Borini; non-stop running, determination, and sheer will, a few common traits that cannot be said for Rodgers' favourite of options in Mario Balotelli. Who would I rather Brendan opts for on Saturday? Fabio Borini. In my opinion, all the Italian needs is a goal in a match of this magnitude, which he will then take into his stride and kick on from there.

"He Said What?"

"This isn't a computer game. We're dealing with the reality of lots of games in a short space of time. We need to make changes."

Apparently, Brendan Rodgers is not one who enjoys the challenges of fantasy football. This quote was said subsequently to a journalist's question on Steven Gerrard, his slip against Chelsea, and why he was rested mid week. The whole issue regarding Stevie, and continuous reports linking him with a move away from the club is a point I will ponder on an entirely different blog, however I echo the bosses views. It was said distinctly by Rodgers prior to the start of the season that Gerrard would not be able to play the 30-40 odd games he endured last season. This is where the likes of Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen need to step up and make their mark once the skipper is absent.

Apart from that, Brendan praised the defensive pairing of Kolo and Skrtel, and stated that a win on Saturday will 'kick start Liverpool's season'.

My Predictions and Possible Starting Line Up

Circulating away from the apparent content of a draw from the majority of reds fans across the country, I am seemingly in an optimistic mood, and therefore will be predicting a 2-1 home win.

As for the possible starting line up, it comes as followed:

                                                   Mignolet

Johnson                    Skrtel                          Toure                  Moreno

                                                    Henderson

                                  Gerrard                        Lallana

                                                   Sterling

                               Balotelli                        Borini

Subs: Jones. Lovren, Manquillo. Allen, Coutinho. Markovic, Lambert.

A Quick Glance At the Opposition

Mourinho's men enter this fixture somewhat dampened by their recent European outing, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Maribor of Slovenia. That does not look likely to affect the Londoners though, as Jose will be buoyed by the return of goal poacher Diego Costa following his absence mid-week. Mourinho himself will be conscious of the threat his former apprentice Rodgers' team holds, and will undoubtedly field a strong eleven to battle the red men. Here are a couple of useful statistics regarding our opposition:

Top Scorer: Diego Costa, 9 goals                                     Most YC's: Cesc Fabregas, 4

Goals Scored: 26                                                            Play-Maker: Cesc Fabregas, 9 assists

Goals Conceded: 10                                                          Most MOTM Displays:

Clean Sheets: 3                                                                  Costa, Hazard - 2 each

                                

A high-octane match-up against Chelsea cannot come at a worse stage in time for Brendan's men, however it is a challenge the reds are undoubtedly relishing. If Liverpool were to accumulate a win on Saturday lunch-time, they will sit in sixth place prior to the 3 o'clock kick offs, level on points with 4th, and nine points behind first place. Not bad I reckon, taking into consideration the appalling start suffered by Brendan's squad.

Remember this reds, we are still above Everton, Manchester United, and Tottenham. It could be so much worse, yet let us focus on ourselves individually. Three points will do nicely Brendan!

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YNWA