Liverpool play hosts to Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea in their penultimate game of their English Premier League season as Jurgen Klopp’s men look to finish the season strongly. With Liverpool looking to push their way up the table to as high as possible, Chelsea will have their work cut out at Anfield.
Chelsea have nothing to play for this season except pride and will look to end a disastrous campaign on a high as they prepare for life without European football in the season to come.
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool will rotate once again with a huge bunch of their preferred eleven rested against Watford. The likes of Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge could return as they look to prepare for their cup final with only about a week left.
As Liverpool take to Anfield a final time this season, Jurgen Klopp could name a full strength team to take on Chelsea.
Chelsea
Chelsea are faced with a real game at Anfield with the likes of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic out for the game. Terry serves the first of his two-match ban which has effectively ended his season and Ivanovic picked up a knock midgame in the weekend which could see him bow out.
Azpilicueta could move back to right back with Abdul Rahman Baba coming in on the left.
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Probable Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Can, Milner; Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Miazga, Cahill, Baba; Matic, Mikel; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Falcao
Form
Liverpool
Liverpool followed up their win against Villarreal with another win against Watford in the weekend and will look to make it three in three versus Chelsea as their home campaign comes to an end for this season. Prior to the wins at Anfield, Liverpool lost to Swansea and away to Villarreal and drew against Newcastle United.
Last 5 Matches: D-L-L-W-W (Last Match: Liverpool 2-0 Watford)
Chelsea
Chelsea come into a meaningless end to their season with nothing to lose having lost thrice and won only once in their last five games. Tottenham managed a draw against this Chelsea side which lost to Swansea, Manchester City and Sunderland while registering their only win against Bournemouth in the last five games.
Last 5 Matches: L-L-W-D-L (Last Match: Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea)
Also read: Chelsea fans plot a stadium walkout in protest of John Terry's contract non-renewal
What the managers have to say
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp is happy with the way Liverpool are ending their season and will want his boys to finish strongly. He believes the base for next season is there.
“We can get sixth position. It isn’t the biggest success in the history of Liverpool but everyone interested in Liverpool can see the good signs and we will build on it. We have to improve and I am sure we will. A lot of things need to be perfect for a really good season. I’m really looking forward to next season, to pre-season, but this season we are still looking for what we can get.”
Chelsea
Guus Hiddink admitted Chelsea’s season has been a disaster and believes Chelsea deserve to fight for silverware instead of being in this position.
“When I talk about big words like 'disaster' I'm thinking of bigger things in the world.
“But in our closed football world, you might call it a 'football disaster'.
“Chelsea must be always at the top. As they've been used to - and better than that: fighting for silverware at the end of the season.”
Key Battles:
Daniel Sturridge vs Gary Cahill
Jurgen Klopp has a beaming smile now every time people ask him about Daniel Sturridge as opposed to a grim frown when he was asked the same questions less than 3 months ago.
Jurgen Klopp’s handling of the England striker raised many an eyebrow but the forward has seemingly reaped the benefits as he has developed his physical fitness and razor sharpened his mental edge.
After an injury-riddled season has seen him restricted him a meager 23 appearances in all competitions this season, Sturridge has still managed 12 goals and 2 assists. He goes into the game against Chelsea to improve that rate at the expense of Gary Cahill who has, by all means, had a season to forget.
For the England centre-back, this seems to be a route out of the club with Antonio Conte set to come in and ring the changes. However, if Cahill has any statements to make, this could be the game to do it.
Roberto Firmino vs Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has had the most forgettable of seasons as his side has dovetailed into the lower trudges of the top half of the EPL table. His own form has been set to take most of the blame considering his monstrous introduction to the Premier League under Jose Mourinho.
Indeed, Chelsea were almost unmatchable in midfield last season and Matic was a big part of that form. This season however, he has been made to look rather ordinary by almost every player he has faced.
Roberto Firmino will look to make better of his good opening season with Liverpool as they prepare for their final in Basel. The Brazilian has come to life under Jurgen Klopp and could be a major player for Liverpool in the years to come.
Prediction
Liverpool will look to pile the misery on Chelsea this season as they look to finish their season in 6th place with an outside chance of 5th coming in if the results from across the table favor them.
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
