I’m not only afraid of facing him tomorrow but I’m also scared on how He takes on defenders,He is the only Chelsea player giving me sleepless night at the moment”, Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk reveals the ONE Chelsea player that He is scared of facing tomorrow – Not Palmer and not Sancho

In anticipation of one of the most anticipated matches of the Premier League, Liverpool and Chelsea are set to face off at Anfield this Sunday. This encounter follows the international break and has been highly anticipated due to the rivalry between these two clubs.

Liverpool currently sits at the top of the league standings, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Chelsea, on the other hand, endured a frustrating 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest. Under new head coach Arne Slot, who took over after Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool has been in superb form. Slot, previously of Feyenoord, has led Liverpool to eight wins out of nine matches, proving to be a capable successor to Klopp.

During the game against Crystal Palace, Diogo Jota’s early goal sealed the victory, but the match was marred by a serious injury to Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker. In his absence, 23-year-old debutant Vitezslav Jaros held the line, ensuring the team walked away with the win. However, Alisson’s absence will be felt, especially as Liverpool faces a series of crucial matches.

Despite their commanding position, Liverpool’s place at the top of the table could be short-lived. If Arsenal wins their match against Bournemouth and Manchester City defeats Wolverhampton, Liverpool might find themselves temporarily dropped to third place before their match even kicks off. Nevertheless, Slot and his team remain focused on maintaining their winning momentum as they pursue a seventh consecutive victory across all competitions. Defensively, Liverpool has been rock-solid, conceding only two goals in the Premier League so far. They have also limited their opponents’ chances, with an expected goals (xG) rate of just 5.2, highlighting their defensive discipline.

However, Liverpool will face a stiff challenge from Chelsea, a team that has been scoring freely this season. Chelsea comes into the match with the second-best offensive record in the league, having scored 16 goals, just one less than league leaders Manchester City. Despite their offensive firepower, Chelsea has not beaten Liverpool since March 2021, with the Merseyside team dominating recent encounters.

Chelsea’s most recent outing ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. Despite goals from Chris Wood and Noni Madueke, the focus was on the goalkeepers, as Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels both made critical saves to preserve a point for their respective teams. Chelsea’s five-game winning streak came to an end with that result, but they remain a potent attacking force. Their manager, Enzo Maresca, has also been a standout figure this season, and he and midfielder Cole Palmer were recently named Manager and Player of the Month for September.

With a chance to win their first four away matches of the season, Chelsea is eager to bounce back from their draw against Forest. However, suspensions to key players, including Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella, could complicate matters. Cucurella’s absence will open the door for Renato Veiga to face the challenging task of marking Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Meanwhile, Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo will battle to replace Fofana in the center of defense.

Liverpool is also dealing with several injury concerns. Alisson is expected to be out until after the November international break, while young midfielder Harvey Elliott is sidelined with a foot fracture. Federico Chiesa’s fitness remains uncertain, but even if he were fit, Mohamed Salah would likely keep his starting spot after returning from international duty. Slot has hinted that there might be some rotation in the squad due to the international break, with players like Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo potentially stepping in for Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz.

Chelsea’s own injury list is shrinking, with Reece James returning to training after a hamstring injury. Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who had a minor scare during international duty, is expected to be available for selection.

As the match approaches, Liverpool is likely to field a starting lineup with Kelleher in goal, as Alisson remains unavailable. The defense will likely consist of Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, and Robertson. In midfield, Curtis Jones could join Gravenberch, while Salah, Szoboszlai, and Gakpo are expected to play behind forward Diogo Jota.

Chelsea’s probable lineup will include Sanchez in goal, with Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, and Veiga forming the backline. In midfield, Caicedo and Fernandez will anchor the team, while Madueke, Palmer, and Sancho support striker Jackson.

The game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to make a statement. For Liverpool, it’s about maintaining their place at the top of the league, while Chelsea will be keen to keep pace with the leaders and potentially break their winless streak against the Reds. As both teams are dealing with key absences and fatigue from international duty, the match is expected to be closely contested. Fans can expect an exciting 90 minutes of football when these two Premier League heavyweights meet on Sunday.