Title chasing Chelsea, fresh from their seven-goal thumping of Stoke City last weekend, visit Liverpool, looking for three points that will keep them top of the table going into the final day and, if results go their way elsewhere, could even secure the championship with a game to spare.
For Liverpool a season which promised so much after last season’s second place finish has become only more disappointing the longer it has gone on and after the Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday, the club are left with only the slightest of hopes of a top-four finish, and realistically only a Europa League place to play for.
After their extra-time defeat to a Diego Forlan goal, the side still without Fernando Torres are likely to be both physically and emotionally drained. And with uncertainty continuing to surround the future of the clubs owners, manager Rafael Benitez, who continues to be linked with the exit door and a move to Juventus, attentions on and off the pitch could easily be elsewhere.
Indeed the only positives for the Reds are that they are unbeaten in their last five games, and they have won nine of their last 10 Premier League games on home soil.
For Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, his side are looking for a domestic double, with the FA Cup final against Portsmouth to come, and surely they can’t be taking on Liverpool at a better time.
With Frank Lampard in terrific form and having reached 20 goals for the season once again, and with the return to fitness of Ashley Cole, largely considered to be the world’s best left-back, they travel to Anfield on the back of 23 goals in their last six games, which has seen five wins including a victory at Old Trafford.
And Carlo Ancelotti will know that a victory, coupled with a defeat for Manchester United when they travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland later in the day, will ensure the title returns to west London for the first time since 2006.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
April 29 - Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Europa League)
April 25 - Burnley 0–4 Liverpool (Premier League)
April 22 - Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
April 19 – Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
April 11 – Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Chelsea
April 25 – Chelsea 7-0 Stoke City (Premier League)
April 17 – Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
April 13 – Chelsea 1-0 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
April 10 - Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa (FA Cup)
April 3 – Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Liverpool will once again be without Spanish international striker Fernando Torres, who this week underwent knee surgery.
Emiliano Insua will also miss out due to a thigh complaint.
Manager Rafael Benitez will have to decide whether to stick with Javier Mascherano at right-back or revert Glen Johnson back across from left-back to his natural position.
Last starting XI (vs Atletico Madrid): Reina; Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Mascherano; Lucas, Aquilani, Gerrard, Benayoun; Babel, Kuyt.
Chelsea
The Blues will be without long term absentees Jose Bosingwa and Michael Essien, who isn’t quite ready to return after a knee injury.
Ricardo Carvalho is doubtful after an ankle injury, whilst Jon Obi Mikel isn’t expected to be fit.
However, club captain John Terry is available once again after suspension.
Last starting XI (vs Stoke City): Cech; Ferreira, Alex, Ivanovic, A Cole; Lampard, Ballack, Malouda; Kalou, Drogba, Anelka.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool – Jose Manuel Reina
The Liverpool No.1 has been faultless this season whilst others around him haven’t met the high standards set by the clubs supporters.
Although the Spanish keeper plays second fiddle at international level, he is largely seen as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
The former Villarreal stopper will have to be at his best this weekend to keep the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka at bay.
Chelsea – Frank Lampard
Two more goals last weekend in the 7-0 rout of Stoke City took Lampard to 20 goals in a Premier League campaign once again.
After a slow start to the season by his own very high standards, Lampard has been in red-hot form lately and has, along with the vastly improved Florent Malouda, been crucial in Chelsea’s title tilt.
If Lampard scores at Anfield, you wouldn’t back against Chelsea leaving with all three points.
For Liverpool a season which promised so much after last season’s second place finish has become only more disappointing the longer it has gone on and after the Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday, the club are left with only the slightest of hopes of a top-four finish, and realistically only a Europa League place to play for.
After their extra-time defeat to a Diego Forlan goal, the side still without Fernando Torres are likely to be both physically and emotionally drained. And with uncertainty continuing to surround the future of the clubs owners, manager Rafael Benitez, who continues to be linked with the exit door and a move to Juventus, attentions on and off the pitch could easily be elsewhere.
Indeed the only positives for the Reds are that they are unbeaten in their last five games, and they have won nine of their last 10 Premier League games on home soil.
For Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, his side are looking for a domestic double, with the FA Cup final against Portsmouth to come, and surely they can’t be taking on Liverpool at a better time.
With Frank Lampard in terrific form and having reached 20 goals for the season once again, and with the return to fitness of Ashley Cole, largely considered to be the world’s best left-back, they travel to Anfield on the back of 23 goals in their last six games, which has seen five wins including a victory at Old Trafford.
And Carlo Ancelotti will know that a victory, coupled with a defeat for Manchester United when they travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland later in the day, will ensure the title returns to west London for the first time since 2006.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
April 29 - Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Europa League)
April 25 - Burnley 0–4 Liverpool (Premier League)
April 22 - Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
April 19 – Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
April 11 – Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Chelsea
April 25 – Chelsea 7-0 Stoke City (Premier League)
April 17 – Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
April 13 – Chelsea 1-0 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
April 10 - Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa (FA Cup)
April 3 – Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Liverpool will once again be without Spanish international striker Fernando Torres, who this week underwent knee surgery.
Emiliano Insua will also miss out due to a thigh complaint.
Manager Rafael Benitez will have to decide whether to stick with Javier Mascherano at right-back or revert Glen Johnson back across from left-back to his natural position.
Last starting XI (vs Atletico Madrid): Reina; Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Mascherano; Lucas, Aquilani, Gerrard, Benayoun; Babel, Kuyt.
Chelsea
The Blues will be without long term absentees Jose Bosingwa and Michael Essien, who isn’t quite ready to return after a knee injury.
Ricardo Carvalho is doubtful after an ankle injury, whilst Jon Obi Mikel isn’t expected to be fit.
However, club captain John Terry is available once again after suspension.
Last starting XI (vs Stoke City): Cech; Ferreira, Alex, Ivanovic, A Cole; Lampard, Ballack, Malouda; Kalou, Drogba, Anelka.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool – Jose Manuel Reina
The Liverpool No.1 has been faultless this season whilst others around him haven’t met the high standards set by the clubs supporters.
Although the Spanish keeper plays second fiddle at international level, he is largely seen as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
The former Villarreal stopper will have to be at his best this weekend to keep the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka at bay.
Chelsea – Frank Lampard
Two more goals last weekend in the 7-0 rout of Stoke City took Lampard to 20 goals in a Premier League campaign once again.
After a slow start to the season by his own very high standards, Lampard has been in red-hot form lately and has, along with the vastly improved Florent Malouda, been crucial in Chelsea’s title tilt.
If Lampard scores at Anfield, you wouldn’t back against Chelsea leaving with all three points.
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