THERE was a time when Chelsea visiting Anfield would be touted as the game of the week.
Sadly, these days it’s just not quite up there, although the Blues’ trip to Liverpool for the early kick-off today does come with some needle.
A victory for Arne Slot’s fourth-place Reds would see them qualify for the Champions League next season. That is something that looked a bit out of reach at times during what has turned out to be a tough campaign for the champions.
Chelsea are down in ninth place, 10 points off fifth-placed Aston Villa, for a guaranteed Champions League spot.
A lesser European competition, perhaps the Europa League, looks more likely for the London club who have Calum McFarlane acting as head coach following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior.
A good start in this fixture should see Liverpool bounce back from their narrow defeat to Manchester United last Sunday.
Prior to the Old Trafford result, the Anfield outfit had won three on the trot and were looking like a decent side, all things considered. Notwithstanding that, Liverpool should pick up all three points at the expense of their travelling side.
The Reds established a degree of solidity at home and Anfield is again beginning to prove itself a difficult place for visitors to win.
Slot is expected to be without Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak but should have adequate resources to shore up the attack, and may start again with the exciting teenager Rio Ngumoha.
For McFarlane, he will want to stem a slide of six Premier League defeats in a row and bring a semblance of order ahead of their FA Cup final against Manchester City.
But it won’t be easy, not against the Reds keen to restore their might in front of their own fans.
