Focus Fixture: Will Klopp's Liverpool continue title charge against Chelsea

Liverpool and Chelsea lock horns in the Premier League before they square off in next month’s EFL Cup final. Jurgen Klopp’s side are five points clear at the top of the table but the chasing pack are capable of lengthy winning runs so there is no room for complacency at Anfield.

The Form

Liverpool have been rocked by the news that Jurgen Klopp will leave his post as manager at the end of the season. The German has cemented his place as a legend of the football club after dragging them from the doldrums and ending their long wait for a Premier League title. The Reds are in with a chance of winning the title again this season but there are several teams in contention.

Anfield has been a fortress for some time but Liverpool’s home record this season is particularly impressive. They are unbeaten in 17 home matches across the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup. They are chasing their 16th Anfield victory of the season on Wednesday.

The last seven matches between Liverpool and Chelsea have ended in a draw after normal time. Klopp’s side have triumphed via the penalty shootout during that time, which bodes well ahead of next month’s League Cup final. However, that won’t help them as they aim to stay one step ahead of Manchester City in the title race this week.

Chelsea fans have become accustomed to success since 2003 but the club have gone through a tough period since the start of last season. The ownership consortium has invested exorbitant sums on players but we are yet to see them strut their best stuff as a unit.

There are signs that things are starting to improve. Chelsea have lost just one of their last seven competitive matches and are up to 9th in the Premier League.

The Runners and the Riders

Mo Salah is the biggest miss for Liverpool but there are other absentees. Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago are missing in midfield. Wataru Endo is on international duty so he will play no part. In defence, Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip are injured.

Chelsea have been plagued by injury for much of the season. Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah and Robert Sanchez are all available in the defensive third. Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu are also carrying injuries. Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto face late fitness tests. Senegal were eliminated from the African Cup of Nations but this game will come too soon for Nicolas Jackson.

What They Said

All the talk in the last week has been about Jurgen Klopp. He has chosen to step down as manager at the end of the season. The German cited fatigue as the reason but is hoping to end on a high. He said “It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now.”

Pochettino hailed Klopp’s work at Liverpool before his side’s FA Cup clash with Aston Villa. Mauricio’s Tottenham side were beaten by Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final. He was full of praise for Klopp, saying “His legacy is massive. I congratulate him and his coaching staff. He deserves the praise he will receive from now until the end of the season."

Tip

The first of our bets for this match is for Liverpool to win and for there to be over 2.5 goals in the match.

Liverpool have won eight of their Premier League matches at Anfield this season and this bet has won in seven of those wins. Klopp’s side are averaging 2.6 goals per home league match and have the firepower to hurt Chelsea here.

Chelsea are improving but clean sheets on the road are proving hard to come by.  They have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven away matches in the league despite winning three of them. Over that period, that are scoring an average of two goals per game but they are also conceding two. 

Klopp’s side have only failed to score in one of their 34 matches in all competitions this season so the visitors know they will need to bare their teeth in attack in the hope of a result.  Liverpool should have enough about them to get the job done but there should be chances at both ends

Recommended Bet: Liverpool to win at 1.60

Bet Builder Tip

For our longshot bet, we are backing Liverpool to win and both teams to score in the match, Diogo Jota to score and the home side to have at least three more corners than Chelsea.

The Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five home matches across all competitions but Arsenal are the only side who have avoided defeat in that period. Chelsea have failed to score in just two of their 10 away matches in the Premier League this season.

Mohamed Salah’s injury has afforded Diogo Jota a run in the side and he has duly delivered. The Portuguese international has worked well in tandem with Darwin Nunez. The pair will be a handful for this shaky Blues’ defence but we are backing Jota to score due to his sublime finishing ability.

Jota scored Liverpool’s third in the win over Norwich. He also bagged a brace in Liverpool's last Premier League and has looked comfortable in the right-hand side channel usually occupied by Salah.

Finally, we need Liverpool to rack up the corners. They are averaging 8.18 corners per game at Anfield this season and conceding just 3.76. This betting angle has won in five of their last six home matches across all competitions.

Recommended Bet: Liverpool to win & both teams to score, Diogo Jota to score & Liverpool -2.5 Corners @ 10.50