Liverpool v Chelsea : Match Preview
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Chelsea's Premier League title credentials will be put to the test at Anfield on Sunday when they meet top-four chasing Liverpool.
Carlo Ancelotti's men are two wins away from recapturing the top prize for the first time since they claimed it at the end of the 2005-06 season.
With Manchester United just one point behind them and breathing down their necks, a win on Merseyside would see the Blues go into the match with Wigan Athletic on the final day with a huge chance of ending the Red Devils' three-year stranglehold on the domestic front.
However, Rafael Benitez's Liverpool team have not yet given up hope of grabbing a last-gasp Champions League spot but they need Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester City to fail between now and the season's end.
If Chelsea's performance against Stoke City on Sunday is anything to go by, then they should have no reason to fear Liverpool this weekend. They romped to a 7-0 victory at Stamford Bridge with Salomon Kalou notching a hat-trick in the process.
That result means they have won five of their last six games with a solitary 2-1 defeat at Spurs on April 17 marring their fine run of form.
Since Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at rivals Manchester United on March 21, they have won three and drawn two of their five games to enhance their European chances.
But talismanic front-man Fernando Torres (knee) is out of their final fixtures of the season.
Dirk Kuyt is undergoing extensive treatment on a calf injury but he is a big doubt for the clash while David N'Gog (back) is also set for a late fitness test. Left-back Emiliano Insua will be missing with a thigh muscle problem.
Chelsea are likely to be without midfield enforcers John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien through knee problems while Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho (ankle) could return but compatriot Jose Bosingwa (knee) is definitely out.
Earlier this season in London, Chelsea claimed an important 2-0 win when the two sides met thanks to goals from France pair Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.
Last season's contest at Stamford Bridge saw Liverpool end Chelsea's mesmeric 86-game unbeaten home run in the Premier League.
A deflected effort from Xabi Alonso was enough to inflict the damage and spoil one of the finest statistics in recent top-flight history.
Liverpool gained the upper-hand again last February as they clinched a late 2-0 success at Anfield.
After Frank Lampard's dismissal, the Reds made the visitors pay with the sharp-shooting Torres scoring in the 88th and 90th minutes to secure the victory.
source : SportboxTV
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hohoho... everything will be known this weekend.. will Liverfool able to beat Chelsea? eventho with the absent of torres and kuyt... also to face with the soul-mate goal pairing of anelka and malouda???I hope so, with the advantage playing at their own place, i 'm pretty sure the spirit to win the game is much higher.. anyhow, time will tells...
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