Liverpool will hope to secure UEFA Champions League qualification when they welcome Chelsea to Anfield.
The pressure is mounting at Anfield once again, but Liverpool still hold their Champions League destiny in their own hands ahead of a massive showdown against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. After a painful defeat at Old Trafford halted their recent momentum, Arne Slot’s side return home knowing that victory could all but secure a coveted top-five finish in the Premier League.
For Chelsea, meanwhile, the trip to Merseyside comes at a bleak moment in their campaign as the Blues are spiralling toward the finish line after another damaging defeat last time out, and confidence around Stamford Bridge appears to be evaporating with each passing week.
Liverpool’s dramatic collapse against Manchester United last weekend perfectly summed up the inconsistency that has plagued their season. After falling two goals behind, the Reds briefly looked capable of producing one of their trademark comebacks before Kobbie Mainoo’s late strike settled a chaotic contest in the hosts’ favour.
While Slot cut a frustrated figure after the final whistle and pointed toward controversial officiating decisions, the reality was that Liverpool were second best for large periods of the game. Defensively vulnerable and lacking control in midfield, they struggled to contain United’s transitions and were fortunate to remain in the contest for as long as they did.
Still, despite the criticism surrounding the Dutchman’s future, Liverpool remain firmly in the race for Champions League football. Sitting fourth in the standings with three matches left to play, the Reds know that a victory here combined with dropped points elsewhere could officially secure their return to Europe’s elite competition for 2026/27.
One major reason for optimism is Liverpool’s strong recent form at Anfield. The atmosphere on Merseyside has often dragged them through difficult moments this season, and they have collected ten points from their four most recent league matches on home soil. However, defensive concerns continue to linger in the background, with clean sheets becoming increasingly rare for Slot’s side.
The Blues arrive at Anfield in disastrous form after six consecutive Premier League defeats, a run that has completely destroyed any realistic hopes of finishing inside the top five. Monday’s 3-1 loss against Nottingham Forest only deepened the sense of frustration around the club, especially given how flat and disconnected Chelsea looked for most of the contest.
Calum McFarlane’s men at least managed to end their lengthy scoring drought through a late Joao Pedro goal, but by that point the game was already beyond them after Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace and Igor Jesus’s strike had silenced Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s recent collapse has been alarming. Once viewed as outsiders in the Champions League race, they now risk equalling one of the worst losing streaks in the club’s league history. Performances have lacked intensity, leadership and composure, while injuries and constant tactical reshuffling have only added to the chaos.
Despite their dreadful run, Chelsea can still point toward recent success against Liverpool for encouragement. The London club have already beaten the Reds twice in 2025, including a narrow victory earlier in the campaign at Stamford Bridge. However, Anfield has historically been a very different challenge, and Liverpool have won each of the last two meetings between the sides on Merseyside.
With Mohamed Salah thriving in these fixtures and Liverpool carrying far more to play for, the hosts will sense a huge opportunity to capitalise on Chelsea’s fragility. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool head into the clash with several major fitness concerns, particularly in attack and defence. Long-term absentee Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined with a serious Achilles injury, while Alexander Isak is also facing a race against time after picking up a groin problem before last weekend’s defeat at Old Trafford. The issue is not believed to be severe, but the Swedish striker remains a doubt for the visit of Chelsea.
The Reds are also sweating over the availability of Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate after both players missed training earlier in the week for unspecified reasons. Their absence from sessions has raised concerns within the camp, especially given the importance of the fixture. Goalkeepers Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili are unavailable as well, with the Brazilian nursing an unspecified injury and Mamardashvili recovering from a knee problem.
Arne Slot’s side will definitely be without Mohamed Salah, who is still recovering from a thigh injury, while Wataru Endo has been ruled out with an ankle issue. Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are also unavailable due to knee injuries, further limiting Liverpool’s options at both ends of the pitch. There are no suspension concerns for the hosts heading into the contest.
Liverpool are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Freddie Woodman should continue in goal behind a back four consisting of Curtis Jones at right-back, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in central defence, and Milos Kerkez operating on the left side. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are likely to form the double pivot in midfield, offering both control and forward drive through the centre of the pitch.
Upfront, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to provide width and pace from the right flank, while Florian Wirtz could occupy the central attacking midfield role if declared fit in time. Highly-rated youngster and former Chelsea prodigy Rio Ngumoha may start from the left wing, with Cody Gakpo leading the line as the central striker. If either Wirtz or Konate fails to recover, Joe Gomez is expected to step into the starting XI.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Jones, Konate,Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Chelsea
Chelsea’s defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out was overshadowed by a worrying incident involving teenage forward Jesse Derry. The youngster was forced off on a stretcher following a heavy collision with Zach Abbott, with both sets of supporters applauding the academy product as he received treatment on the pitch. The club are expected to continue monitoring him closely, and he is highly unlikely to feature at Anfield.
There were further concerns during the same match when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez suffered a nasty clash of heads with Morgan Gibbs-White. While Chelsea are still assessing the extent of the issue, Filip Jorgensen is expected to deputise in goal if Sanchez fails concussion protocols in time for the weekend fixture.
Calum McFarlane has received some encouragement on the fitness front, however, with Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens all pushing to be available despite recent concerns. Their availability would provide a much-needed boost to a Chelsea attack that has badly lacked sharpness during the club’s miserable run of form.
Elsewhere, Estevao Willian remains unavailable with a thigh injury, while Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve his suspension following his doping-related ban. Chelsea do not currently have any fresh suspension concerns ahead of the trip to Merseyside.
The Blues are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Filip Jorgensen should start between the posts if Robert Sanchez is unavailable. Club captain Reece James is likely to operate at right-back, with Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah forming the central defensive partnership. Marc Cucurella is expected to continue at left-back.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos should anchor the side in deeper roles, offering defensive protection while also attempting to progress possession through the middle. Cole Palmer is expected to start on the right wing, with Enzo Fernandez operating in the advanced central playmaking role. Pedro Neto could feature from the left flank if declared fit, while Joao Pedro is likely to spearhead the attack as the lone centre-forward.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won their last two Premier League home matches against Chelsea, scoring exactly two goals in both victories at Anfield.
- Chelsea head into this contest on a six-match losing streak in the Premier League, making them the worst-performing side in the division across the last six matchdays. They have conceded 14 goals during their current six-game losing run in the Premier League.
- Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight league outings.
- Liverpool have lost just one of their previous 15 Premier League home matches.
- Chelsea have not lost seven consecutive league games since 1952, but they risk matching that unwanted record this weekend.
Player to Watch
Cody Gakpo
With Liverpool dealing with multiple injury concerns in attack, much of the responsibility in the final third is expected to fall on Cody Gakpo’s shoulders. The Dutch forward has quietly become one of Liverpool’s most reliable attacking outlets this season, offering intelligent movement, composure in possession and the ability to drift into dangerous pockets between the lines.
Gakpo’s versatility could prove crucial against a Chelsea side that has looked increasingly vulnerable defensively during recent weeks. Whether operating through the middle or drifting wide to combine with Liverpool’s runners, the Netherlands international has the technical quality to exploit gaps left by Chelsea’s aggressive full-backs.
The Dutchman also tends to thrive in high-tempo matches at Anfield, where his link-up play and sharp decision-making become even more influential. Against a Chelsea team struggling for confidence and defensive organisation, Gakpo could be the player who dictates the rhythm of Liverpool’s attacking play and ultimately decides the contest.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea
Chelsea’s recent form makes this an extremely difficult fixture to approach with confidence, especially away from home against a Liverpool side still fighting for Champions League qualification. While the Reds have shown defensive vulnerabilities in recent weeks, their intensity at Anfield and superior attacking structure should give them the upper hand.
Liverpool are also likely to take advantage of Chelsea’s fragile mentality, particularly if they start the game strongly and force the visitors onto the back foot early. The Blues still possess enough quality in transition to create problems, especially through Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto, but their lack of defensive stability remains a major concern heading into a high-pressure environment like Anfield.
Expect Liverpool to control large phases of possession and create the better openings, while Chelsea may struggle to cope with the movement and energy in the final third.
