FeatureThe lowdown on Chelsea: Form, new signing, key men and Anfield record

Here, we take an in-depth look at the Blues ahead of the Anfield showdown…

Form

Chelsea have had mixed results since the World Cup break. They have recorded two wins, two defeats and a draw in their past five Premier League matches, but will go into Saturday’s game buoyed by a 1-0 home victory over Crystal Palace last time out.

Chelsea are level on points with Liverpool, although they have played one game more than the Reds.

Injuries and suspensions

January loan signing Joao Felix misses out through suspension. The Portugal international is serving the second match of a three-game ban after receiving a red card on his debut against Fulham last Thursday.

Chelsea also have several players unavailable due to injury. Edouard Mendy, Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Denis Zakaria, Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja are all expected to miss out. Defensive duo Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana are nearing a return to first-team action but Saturday’s game may come too soon for them.

New signing in line for debut

Highly-rated Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk could make his Chelsea bow at Anfield.

The 22-year-old arrives in the Premier League with an impressive goalscoring record. Mudryk has struck 10 times in 18 outings for Shakhtar Donetsk this season, including three goals in six Champions League appearances.

Cup final drama (x2)

Saturday’s clash will be the first time the teams have met since last May’s Emirates FA Cup final, when Liverpool emerged victorious after a penalty shootout at Wembley. The Reds also beat Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup final last year. It was only the second time in English football history that both finals were contested by the same teams in one season (Arsenal beat Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and FA Cup finals in 1993).

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Liverpool were scheduled to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September, but the game was postponed due to events surrounding the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

The teams last locked horns at Anfield on August 28, 2021. A high-octane Premier League battle finished 1-1, with Mohamed Salah equalising from the penalty spot after Havertz opened the scoring for the away side.

Liverpool v Chelsea: All-time Anfield record

In the 79 league fixtures between the sides at Anfield, Liverpool have won 48 and Chelsea 12. There have been 19 draws.