Stamford Bridge plays host to a heavyweight Premier League clash on Saturday evening as Chelsea look to revive their faltering campaign against reigning champions Liverpool.
Both sides come into the encounter under pressure, with the Blues languishing in mid-table and the Reds suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time under Arne Slot.
Chelsea
Chelsea arrive with confidence dented by two straight league losses, leaving them already seven points off the early leaders. Enzo Maresca’s side edged past Benfica 1-0 in midweek thanks to an own goal, but discipline remains a major problem.
Trevoh Chalobah’s red card against Brighton tilted that contest, and with 118 bookings since last season, the Blues’ lack of composure is becoming a defining issue.
However, Stamford Bridge has often been their fortress, with only two defeats in their last 18 home games across all competitions.
Breaking a ten-game winless run against Liverpool with a 3-1 victory here last season offered hope, and Chelsea now aim for back-to-back home league wins over the Reds for the first time since 2006.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s aura of invincibility has slipped in recent days. Their five-match winning streak in the league ended with a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, before Galatasaray struck in the Champions League to inflict a second successive loss.
Concerns lie not only in the results but in the lack of conviction shown in both performances.
Slot’s champions could find themselves off top spot by kickoff if Arsenal win earlier, and their recent trips to London provide little comfort, the Reds have lost three successive Premier League away games in the capital.
Even their recent Stamford Bridge record is worrying, with no win in their last four league visits.
Team News
For Chelsea, Trevoh Chalobah is suspended after his Brighton dismissal. Mykhaylo Mudryk also sits out through suspension, while Dario Essugo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, and Levi Colwill are all injured. Wesley Fofana and Andrey Santos face late tests, with Josh Acheampong likely to deputise at centre-back if Fofana is not cleared.
Liverpool’s misery deepened with Alisson Becker’s groin injury against Galatasaray, ruling him out. Hugo Ekitike is also a doubt, though Alexander Isak is fit and chasing a third straight goal at Stamford Bridge. Federico Chiesa could return, while Giovanni Leoni remains a long-term absentee.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Neto; Pedro
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak
Head-to-Head
Chelsea finally broke a ten-game winless run against Liverpool with last season’s 3-1 Stamford Bridge triumph. History points to a tight contest as the last nine league meetings have seen half-time result mirrored at full-time.
Quickfire Stats
- Chelsea have scored exactly once before half-time in seven of their last nine home matches.
- The Blues are winless in their last five Premier League home games against reigning champions (D1, L4).
- Liverpool’s six league games this season have produced a league-high eight goals after the 80th minute.
- None of Liverpool’s last eight matches have been decided by more than a single goal.
Match Info
Date: 03/10/2025
Kick-off: 17:30 WAT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Match Official: Anthony Taylor
What’s at Stake
For Chelsea, this is about halting the slide and reigniting belief in Maresca’s project. A third straight league defeat would see pressure mount sharply on the Italian, but a statement win over the champions could transform their season.
For Liverpool, the challenge is about proving their resilience. With Arsenal breathing down their necks, a third straight defeat across all competitions could crack Slot’s early aura and hand the initiative in the title race back to their rivals.
