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Liverpool go into their game at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea today knowing that, regardless of the result, they will still be sitting at the top of the table at the end of the 90 minutes.
For both sides, the game offers a chance to come back after disappointing Champions League defeats midweek, with title holders Liverpool going down 2-0 to Napoli, while the Blues were beaten 1-0 at home by Valencia.
The result was not the only thing that had Chelsea coach Frank Lampard sweating after the match as youngster Mason Mount was substituted with an ankle injury after just 16 minutes.
Although the injury proved to be only a sprain, the midfielder missed some of Chelsea’s training sessions ahead of today’s game and might not take to the field. Other concerns for Lampard are defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Emerson, as well as midfielder N’Golo Kanté, who are all doubtful participants in the match, while Ruben Hudson-Odoi and Reece James are still ruled out.
Should Mount not be available for the game, it will be a big blow to Chelsea as the 20-year-old, together with fellow academy graduates Tammy Abraham – who has scored seven goals in the past three Premier League matches – and Fikayo Tomori, have played an outstanding role in helping Chelsea to sixth place after five games.
Liverpool though, have notched up five wins from five games – taking their run of consecutive victories to 14 over two seasons – and have benefited from some uninspired performances from defending champions Manchester City, who were held to a draw by Tottenham Hotspur and lost to newly promoted Norwich.
The two sides have already met this season.
Liverpool won the Uefa Super Cup on penalties five weeks ago, with Abraham missing Chelsea’s final penalty after a pulsating 2-2 draw. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp has his own injury worries as striker Divock Origi will miss the game after picking up an injury in the Reds’ Premier League victory against Newcastle last week.
Goalkeeper Alisson and defender Nathaniel Clyne remain out with long-term injuries.
There is some good news for the German coach, though, as Naby Keïta could be available for his first game this season as he returns from injury.
Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk, who made an uncharacteristic mistake against Napoli, said that his side faced tough opposition in every competition.
“I think everyone wants to beat us no matter what competition it is. That’s something we have to deal with, but it’s not going to be a problem at all,” he said.
Looking back at the defeat in Italy, Van Dijk said they needed to put that behind them.
“We have to enjoy that as well and I think that, for them to win their first game, is obviously big.
“For us to lose our first game is obviously not what we wanted but the only thing we can do is try to win all the other games and now focus on Chelsea.”
No other match between English clubs has been played as often in the 21st century as Chelsea vs Liverpool. Today’s game will be the 61st time that the two clubs meet in all competitions.
The last victory for the Blues against the Reds in the Premier League was in May last year, when Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win.
It was, however, the only win in the past nine Premier League games for Chelsea against Liverpool.
Fans can look forward to goals as Chelsea have failed to score against Liverpool in the past 20 games.
