Comments, predictions Liverpool vs Chelsea: Last minute decision

In the headline act of Premier League football's return after the international break, Liverpool and Chelsea will go head-to-head in a battle of the giants at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds went top of the table thanks to a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace before the break, while the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Latest Liverpool vs Chelsea squad information

Liverpool's worst Alisson fears were confirmed shortly after he was taken off against Crystal Palace, and the Brazilian goalkeeper will now be out until after the November international break; Caoimhin Kelleher will deputise after missing the win at Selhurst Park through illness.

Alisson joins Liverpool's injury list alongside Harvey Elliott, who has a broken leg, and there is still no update on Federico Chiesa's condition, but the former Juventus man will be unable to replace Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian returned early from international duty.

Slot also admitted in the press conference that the Reds are facing "some issues" from the international break, so it would be no surprise if a number of South American players are rested from the start; Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo could replace Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz respectively.

While James Ward-Prowse's comical red card grabbed the disciplinary headlines in Chelsea's game against Forest, the Blues also had two bookings to make; Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season and will miss the game at Anfield.

Cucurella's absence opens the door for Renato Veiga to take on the difficult task of keeping Salah quiet, while Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo will compete to replace Fofana in the heart of defence.

In better news, persistent injury victim Reece James is back in training after suffering a muscle strain over the summer, and a worry over Denmark goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen on international duty will not affect Maresca's starting line-up.

Latest Liverpool vs Chelsea predicted lineup

Liverpool:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota

Chelsea:

Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Latest Liverpool vs Chelsea football commentary

Records have been continually broken at the feet of Liverpool manager Arne Slot since the Dutchman succeeded Jurgen Klopp, with him overseeing an eighth win in nine games at Selhurst Park a fortnight ago.

An early goal from Diogo Jota was the difference in that game, but the result was somewhat overshadowed by a serious injury to veteran goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with 23-year-old Vitezslav Jaros making his debut in goal.

That win keeps Liverpool top of the table for a fortnight, but they could be pushed back into second place on Saturday if Arsenal beat Bournemouth, and Manchester City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at 2pm on Sunday to drop them to third before kick-off.

However, Slot and his staff will not be concerned with such theories as Liverpool pursue a seventh successive win in all competitions, with their defensive foundations remaining solid, having conceded just two goals in the current Premier League campaign.

Furthermore, Liverpool's seven games so far have seen them allow just 5.2 Expected Goals (xG) to their opponents, but their defence will be put to the test when they host a goal-scoring side on Sunday.

After Slot became only the fourth manager in Premier League history to win his first four away games, his opponent, Enzo Maresca, could become the fifth member of that exclusive club if he can stop Liverpool's progress this weekend.

Chelsea may have been allowed to ask Nottingham Forest - the only team to beat Liverpool this season - how best to deal with Slot's side a fortnight ago, but the dramatic encounter with the side descended into chaos over the course of 105 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Two goals from Chris Wood and Noni Madueke saw Chelsea's five-game winning run come to an end, but the day certainly belonged to the goalkeepers, with Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels - the last line of defence for 10-man Forest - making superb saves to secure a point for the home side.

Even a win for Chelsea would not improve their fourth place in the Premier League, but the team arrive on Merseyside with the second-best attack in the division; they have scored 16 goals, bettered only by Manchester City (17).

With Maresca and Cole Palmer winning the Manager and Player of the Month awards for September, Chelsea could win their first four away games in a top-flight season for the first time since 2008-09, but a nine-game winless run against Liverpool, who have not lost to Chelsea since March 2021, does not favour them.

This mouthwatering Sunday clash is sure to be alive with anticipation, as Chelsea's unstoppable attacking force comes up against the impregnable defensive wall of Liverpool, who are expected to enter the game in a strong position.

The absence of Fofana and Cucurella - two pillars of Chelsea's defence - could tip the balance in Liverpool's favour, especially with Salah and Virgil van Dijk well rested in the squad, as Slot's side continue to hold on to their position at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool vs Chelsea score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the Liverpool vs Chelsea match:

• Sportsmole: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

• WhoScore: Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
• Our prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

When and where to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea live?

To watch the Liverpool vs Chelsea match live in the Premier League at 10:30 p.m. on October 20, viewers can watch it on K+ Sport, K+PM or online sports channels. Wish you all have fun watching football.

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