MatchThe opposition lowdown: Chelsea

Recent form

Chelsea have been beaten just once in the Premier League this season.

The Blues' record thus far shows four wins and two draws from their opening seven fixtures – which meant they sat fourth in the standings ahead of this weekend's round of matches.

In their most recent outing, prior to the international break, Enzo Maresca's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

Ones to watch

Cole Palmer has provided a key threat for the visitors in the early phases of the campaign, with the England attacker netting six goals and recording five assists in the Premier League this term.

Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, meanwhile, have both scored four times apiece, and the former has also delivered three assists.

The partnership of Palmer and Madueke has proved especially fruitful for Chelsea, with the pair having created 15 chances for each other this season.

Team news

Chelsea will be without defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana due to suspension, but the visitors have no other injury concerns before the trip to Merseyside.

Club captain Reece James is set to be available for the first time in 2024-25 after being declared fully fit.

Previous meetings

Liverpool's last Premier League contest with the Blues came in January, when the Reds claimed a 4-1 victory at Anfield.

Goals from Diogo Jota, Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz secured the three points, with Christopher Nkunku on target for the away side.

In the reverse fixture on the opening day of the 2023-24 campaign, the two teams had played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Diaz was on target then too, while Axel Disasi struck for the hosts.

They subsequently faced off in the 2024 Carabao Cup final at Wembley, where Virgil van Dijk's headed goal in the 118th minute gave Liverpool a 1-0 win and the trophy.

What they said

Chelsea head coach Maresca

"They [Liverpool] are doing fantastic. Very good players, very good manager, very good club, and I think they are doing a fantastic job. But it's already many years that Liverpool is there, so it's continuing to do that and I think it's something very important for them."

Pre-match stats

The Reds are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with Chelsea, though five of these have ended level.

Liverpool have lost just two of their last 19 league games against the Blues (seven wins, 10 draws).

Arne Slot's team have conceded the fewest goals (two), kept the most clean sheets (five), and have the lowest expected goals against figure (5.2) of any side in the Premier League so far this season.

Liverpool and Chelsea are the two clubs with a 100 per cent away win rate in the Premier League in 2024-25 (three out of three).

Chelsea have lost just two of their last 22 Premier League games (13 wins, seven draws).