Liverpool Vs Chelsea: Not Easy Match At Anfield

Chelsea played a difficult match against Liverpool at Anfield, Thursday, February 1 in the morning WIB. (X/@ChelseaFC)

JAKARTA - Liverpool and Chelsea warm up before competing in the Carabao Cup final, February 25, 2024. Before the duel in the final, they met first in the 2023/2024 Premier League.

Even though it was not an easy match, Liverpool were a little over the wind when they hosted Chelsea at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, Thursday, February 1, 2024, early morning WIB.

Liverpool are still in turmoil after Jurgen Klopp's manager said he would step down after the end of the competition. Who is the winner of Klopp is still a sign of the question.

However, Klopp's decision to step down has also triggered the player's adrenaline. They will go all out to give their last gift in the form of a championship trophy. In fact, Virgil van Dijk is increasingly motivated to win the quadruple.

The reason is, Liverpool not only reached the final in the Carabao Cup, but also qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League and are still staying in the FA Cup.

Liverpool also lead the 2023/2024 Premier League standings. Opportunities to maintain position must be maximized when the Reds host Chelsea. If it fails, Liverpool will face serious threats from Manchester City who meets lightly, Burnley.

Liverpool are indeed on fire. After a 4-0 win ats Bournemouth in the domestic competition, The Kop then rolled Norwich City 5-2 in the FA Cup. Previously, Liverpool drew 1-1 against Fulham which brought them to the Carabao Cup final.

In this match, Klopp was still able to lower the best squad even though Mohamed Salah had not been strengthened.

Although Egypt has been eliminated in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Salah is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, midfielder Wataru Endo is still defending Japan who remains in the 2023 Asian Cup.

Without Salah, Liverpool remains optimistic about maintaining an unbeaten record. Currently, Liverpool have not lost in their last 10 matches in various competitions.

Meanwhile, Chelsea has started to stabilize in the Premier League. The West London club won three matches in the competition. Chelsea's performance was also very convincing when they beat Middlesbrough 6-1 in the Carabao Cup.

However, Mauricio Pochettino's team was then detained by Aston Villa 0-0 in the FA Cup. In the aftermath, they had to play a rematch at Villa's home.

In this duel, Chelsea will play a 4-2-3-1 scheme. Striker Nicolas Jackson has returned after strengthening Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations. It's just that he may not be directly played in the big match.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is still absent due to injury. His position was replaced by Djordje Petrovic again. Meanwhile, defender duo Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell can start.

If Jackson doesn't start then Cole Palmer will be played. He was supported by former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling

In that big match, Liverpool was a little seeded. However, the consistency of the Blues has begun to appear so that it can damage Liverpool's scenario.

"It's a special game for him (Klopp). It must be admitted every time they play at Anfield, they seem to be throwing a party. However, we won't get involved in the party. We came there to win. That's our target," said Pochettino.

Player Composition Forecast

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Jota, Nunez, Diaz

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Petrovic; Dissasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Palmer