Liverpool face Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea at Anfield
By Sam McGuire
What reception is Blues boss Xabi Alonso going to get?
The story of the season
Chelsea have been hot and cold. They recorded a 4-3 win over Brighton and an emphatic 5-1 win over Bournemouth. They hit Leeds United for six goals in the Carabao Cup. They have also given up two leads against Hull City at Stamford Bridge and had to settle for a draw. They’ve lost to Brentford and Spurs, too.
They find themselves in fifth position in the Premier League but it’s a bit of a false position. The xG table, for example, has them in 12th. They’re higher in the table as a result of their huge overperformance in attack. They’ve scored 6.7 more goals than they’ve been expected to. Brighton (+6.8) are the only team in the Premier League with a greater overperformance in attack.
The form table (last five Premier League matches) has Alonso’s side in eighth spot with two wins, two losses and a draw. They head to Anfield lacking real momentum. They’ve kept just one clean sheet all season too.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have been a little more steady. They’re sixth in the xG table and have the third best defensive record when looking at the underlying numbers.
The Reds are four from four following the loss to Manchester City. Andoni Iraola’s men dispatched Brighton over the weekend, recording a 2-0 win over the high-flying Seagulls. Alexander Isak found the back of the net again to make it six goals in the Premier League this term.
Things are starting to click for the Reds in attack and relationships are forming. They’re going to want to keep things moving in the right direction and making it five wins from five, as well as into the next round of the Carabao Cup, would be massive.
Key Players
For the hosts, the focus will likely be on Rio Ngumoha. Iraola has done a good job managing his minutes and after the young winger was benched for the win over Brighton, the expectation is that he’ll start on Wednesday against his former club.
For the Blues, Jordan Henderson will want to make some sort of impression on his return to Anfield. He’s been in good form for Chelsea, bossing the midfield and even chipping in with goals and assists. The middle third has been an area of concern for the home side this term and Henderson will want to take advantage of this.
Team News
The away side have some personnel issues as they head to Anfield. Cole Palmer is suspended following his red card against Tottenham. The Blues are also without João Pedro, Emiliano Martínez, Pep Chavarría, Reece James, Jamie Gittens and Emanuel Emegha.
Liverpool meanwhile, are still without a host of names. Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are all missing while Víctor Muñoz remains doubtful.
Prediction
We’re going to go with a home win, but it might be tight. Either 2-1 to Liverpool or they’ll progress via a penalty shootout.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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