3 Questions Ahead of Chelsea vs Liverpool in the Premier League

Both teams head into this match at Stamford Bridge following some inconsistent recent form. Neither side will want to drop further points and there’s plenty at stake on Saturday. 

Here are three key questions ahead of the Chelsea vs Liverpool heavyweight clash.

Chelsea turned a corner at the end of the 2024/25 season. Enzo Maresca’s side thrashed Real Betis 4-1 to win the Conference League in May before stunning PSG 3-0 in the Club World Cup final.

The Blues also looked confident early in the new season and took seven points from their first three Premier League matches. 

A three-match winless run has followed a steady start to the campaign, and the Blues haven’t won in the league since a 2-0 victory over Fulham in August.

Back-to-back Premier League losses to Man United and Brighton at home leave Maresca’s side seven points behind Liverpool ahead of Saturday’s game. 

Despite a drop off in Premier League form, Chelsea will feel confident about taking three points from Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The London side are unbeaten in 18 of their last 20 home games, including a 3-1 win over Liverpool at the end of last season. 

Liverpool head to West London following consecutive losses for just the second time under Anre Slot. A 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace came before a 1-0 Champions League defeat away against Galatasaray. 

The losses have been coming for the reigning Premier League champions after some unconvincing performances. Liverpool required late winners to edge to victory against Newcastle, Arsenal, Burnley and Southampton earlier in the season.

Slot’s side have clear weaknesses in defence, which were exposed in the losses at Palace and Galatasaray. Across both games, the Reds have allowed a total of 4.25 XG.

Two clean sheets from 10 matches in all competitions is also a big defensive decline compared to this stage last season. After 10 games in 2024/25, Liverpool had already kept six clean sheets.

To recover from consecutive losses, Slot’s side must tighten up at the back. However, shutting out a Chelsea side that has scored at least once in nine consecutive matches could be a tough ask.

Liverpool spent big in the summer to bolster their attacking line with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak arriving at Anfield.

While Ekitike has shown his quality with five goals and one assist in all competitions, Wirtz and Isak are yet to hit their stride. 

Wirtz has had moments of expert creativity and vision, but he has no goals or assists in eight starts in all competitions. Isak is also likely to play backup to Ekitike for now, as the Swedish striker builds match fitness after starting just three games this season.

A more reliable alternative for Slot to produce in the attacking areas against Chelsea could be Federico Chiesa. 

The Italian was heavily linked to a move away from Liverpool in the summer. However, he has proven to be a reliable player when called upon this season.

Chiesa has only made six Liverpool appearances, with five coming from the bench, and has scored twice and assisted two goals. 

The 27-year-old attacker didn’t make the trip to Turkey on Wednesday due to a knock. If he is fit and ready on Saturday, Slot could spring a surprise for the Blues by starting Chiesa ahead of Wirtz in attack.