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2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 8
Liverpool v Chelsea
Anfield
Liverpool, England
Sunday, 20 October 2024
Kick-off is at 17h30
Chelsea's impressive start to life under Enzo Maresca will be seriously tested when they lock horns with
Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, October 20.
Maresca's tenure began with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, but his team quickly bounced back by dispatching Wolves 6-2 the following weekend before embarking on a six-match unbeaten run.
A 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on October 6 saw the West Londoners climb up to fourth in the standings, level with Aston Villa on 14 points but above them on goal difference.
Maresca's side are the second-highest scorers in the league with 16 goals, just one behind City, and they have a decent top-flight record against the Reds, losing just one of their last seven meetings.
The Merseyside giants have shipped just two goals in their seven outings, with a 1-0 defeat to Forest on September 14 bringing an end to the perfect start before they let in one in a 2-1 victory over the Old Gold a fortnight later.
Arne Slot's side maintained their one-point lead over City and Arsenal after edging Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park on October 5 which made it three wins on the spin.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
In team news, the hosts will be without Alisson after he was forced off with a thigh injury against the Eagles. Harvey Elliott (ankle) also misses out, while Caoimhin Kelleher (illness), Federico Chiesa and Alexis Mac Allister (groin) are rated doubtful. Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are suspended for the visitors, joining Omari Kellyman (thigh) on the sidelines. Reece James (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (illness), Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke could come back into contention though.
Slot is hoping to forge his own legacy on Merseyside after making the best start as the club's manager with nine wins from his first 10 matches in all competitions.
"It definitely is [very satisfying]. And it's actually also quite special if you know how many great managers Liverpool had," the Dutchman said.
"But I also said last week I think that I hope they don't only remember me in one, two, three, four, five years only for this. We are hoping to do more special things than this.
"And it also says the luck I had that I inherited a very good squad and very good staff to continue getting the results that Jurgen [Klopp] had here as well."
Image copyright: Getty Images
Maresca reflected on his first three months at Stamford Bridge which sees the Blues just four points off the league summit, having been impressed with how they have adapted to different scenarios thus far.
"When we started the season, to think by the second international break you are fourth, the way the team are playing, the way the team are learning to play different kinds of games, for sure I am very happy," the Italian said.
"We have 14 points from seven games, it is important, but for me it is also important to see the way we got 14 points - it has been in different ways, in different types of games, home and away.
"Against a team like today, who sit back and try to be aggressive, you have to use different weapons, but I think in general, we are very happy with where we are but for sure we can do many things better."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Liverpool wins - 1
Chelsea wins - 0
Draws - 4
Premier League Matchday 8 fixtures:
Saturday, October 19
13h30: Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
16h00: Fulham v Aston Villa
16h00: Ipswich Town v Everton
16h00: Manchester United v Brentford
16h00: Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
16h00: Southampton v Leicester City
18h30: Bournemouth v Arsenal
Sunday, October 20
15h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City
17h30: Liverpool v Chelsea
Monday, October 21
21h00: Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
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