The Premier League weekend kicks off with a huge clash at Anfield as Liverpool look to all but confirm a top-five finish, and Champions League qualification, while ending Chelsea’s hopes of a return to European football’s elite.
Both teams lost their last game - against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, respectively - and need a quick return to form.
Liverpool will be looking over their shoulders at Aston Villa and, further down, Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford.
A win today should see off the latter trio, and the return to fitness of Alexander Isak, who has shaken off a minor injury, will be key.
Arne Slot will also hope to pick Giorgi Mamardashvili back between the sticks a week earlier than planned.
For Chelsea, they will also be playing their second-choice goalkeeper after Robert Sanchez was forced off against Forest, while Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho will also be missing.
All eyes on Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer to produce the goods.
Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith.
Liverpool vs Chelsea latest news
This is the 200th meeting between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Liverpool have won 87 to Chelsea’s 67.
Chelsea have won the last two, and going for a league double over Liverpool for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
I am surprised by elements of McFarlane's starting lineup today.
I felt it was possible, given the winger shortage, that Joao Pedro might start on the left with Liam Delap up front.
Instead, Joao Pedro leads the line, and Hato comes into the team in what looks like it will be a back five for Chelsea.
Andrey Santos with a rare start, too.
He had fallen out of favour towards the end of Rosenior's reign but partners Moises Caicedo in midfield.
So, Mamardashvili is fit to return to the Liverpool starting line-up, but Isak is not.
The striker takes a seat on the bench.
It means another start for youngster Ngumoha, this time against his former club, with Gakpo likely leading the line.
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Gakpo, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Ngumoha
Subs: Woodman, Gomez, Isak, Chiesa, Robertson, Nyoni, Morrison, Ndiaye, Wright
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Hato, Caicedo, Santos, Fernandez, Palmer, Joao Pedro
Subs: Slonina, James, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Lavia, Eboue, Kabila-McQueen, Delap
"Our fate is in our own hands, we have no need to rely on anyone else or to hope that fate might conspire in our favour.
We just have to get the job done.
"This has to be our mindset and we should also be aiming to take as many points as we possibly can from our final three matches, particularly after the disappointment of losing at Old Trafford last weekend after three very good wins against Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace.
"I would never look to take positives from a defeat against Manchester United because I know how important these kinds of fixtures are to everyone associated with Liverpool, including myself.
"But we can use our experiences in that game – both negative and positive – as fuel for this one against another opponent who will want to make things as difficult for us as possible.
"I would like to welcome Calum McFarlane, his players and staff and the directors and supporters of Chelsea to Anfield for today's game.
"Obviously, Calum has come in as interim manager once again in recent weeks and will want to continue making a good impression.
I can only wish him well in this regard, although I am sure he will understand that this does not extend to today.
"As I said earlier, our focus can only be on ourselves and finishing as strongly as we possibly can.
How Joao Pedro overcame Chelsea chaos to produce fine debut campaign
Chelsea head to Anfield this afternoon to face a Liverpool team have also endured a dire season, relative to their lofty standards.
Liverpool are fourth in the league.
Chelsea are ninth.
And yet Joao Pedro has never grumbled, never downed tools when others have had that charge levelled at them.
His transfer fee of £60million was a not insignificant outlay, even for big-spending Chelsea, yet the investment has never once been questioned.
Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and other high earners have been disappointing.
Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and other summer signings have flopped.
Joao Pedro has succeeded.
His maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge has clocked up 20 goals and counting; impressive numbers.
His chances of leading the line for Brazil at this summer’s World Cup — something he described to The Standard as his “dream” in September — have never been closer to becoming a reality.
McFarlane hits back at 'broken' Chelsea claims after Carragher jab
Calum McFarlane has hit back at suggestions his Chelsea squad is “broken” amid their lengthy Premier League winless run.
Last weekend’s surprise defeat by a heavily rotated Nottingham Forest was their sixth loss on the bounce, with Joao Pedro’s injury-time consolation their only goal in that spell.
Speaking after that match, Jamie Carragher described the Blues’ squad as ‘broken’, with a parallel drawn between Chelsea and the current behind-the-scenes turmoil at Real Madrid, where players and staff have reportedly fallen out acrimoniously as they face the prospect of a trophyless season.
However, McFarlane insists that no such crisis is taking place away from prying eyes at Cobham, insisting his players have remained professional throughout their winless run.
“The group are disappointed with the performance against Forest,” he declared.
“They are elite players who have got to this level by having the talent, and the mentality, and drive.
It's just about bringing it out.
“You don't get to play for this level of club or countries these guys play for if you don't have that.
It is just about supporting them and doing as much as we can as a staff and giving them everything they need to go out on the pitch and perform.”
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Source: This article was originally published by Evening Standard
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