Liverpool host last season’s champions Chelsea on Saturday and there should be an electric atmosphere at Anfield with it being a big game and a 5:30pm kick-off.
Chelsea have had an indifferent campaign so far, losing on the opening day to Burnley at Stamford Bridge and also to bottom of the table side Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
They have, however, just hit a bit of form. They beat fellow top four contenders Manchester United at home and also dispatched of West Brom 4-0 last weekend, along with a 4-0 trouncing of Qarabag in the Champions League in midweek.
Their improvement in form has coincided with the return of Eden Hazard, who is a top quality player and an integral part of what makes them tick.
Liverpool have been in good form too, we have won our last three Premier League games and got back into the mix for the top four places in the process.
The midweek display in Seville was typical Liverpool though. They were fantastic going forward and scored goals for fun but they had a soft centre when put under pressure and then capitulated in alarming fashion.
Before the game in midweek, a draw would have been considered a good result and still is in the grand scheme of things, as we still top our Champions League group, but the manner of how we gave away a 3-0 lead and the damage mentally it may have done to this group of players is a concern.
I am expecting a very closely contested game at the weekend. Both sides have match winners within their ranks and I’m sure Mo Salah will have a point to prove to the club that discarded him a few years ago, but we know Antonio Conte is a clever tactician as a manager and it will be interesting to see how he tries to nullify our attacking players.
Their confidence will be sky-high and they will come here looking to beat us, unlike a certain other top four contender last month, but hopefully that will work in our favour and I can see the Reds getting another valuable three points in our hunt for another top four finish this season.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
(Firmino, Mane / Morata)
