Liverpool will look to secure Champions League football when they welcome Chelsea to Anfield this Saturday, live on talkSPORT.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Chelsea were victorious, winning 2-1 thanks to an injury-time winner from Estevao.
Following that result at Stamford Bridge in October, the Blues are looking to complete the league double over Liverpool for the first time since the 2013/14 season.
However, Chelsea’s recent form on Merseyside has been poor and they have only won one of their last ten Premier League away games against the Reds – a 1-0 victory in March 2021 under Thomas Tuchel.
Arne Slot‘s men can guarantee Champions League football if they secure all three points at home and Bournemouth lose or draw against Fulham.
They could also confirm their spot in the premier continental competition if they draw, provided both Bournemouth and Brentford lose their respective matches.
Chelsea still have their own European aspirations, despite their chances of finishing in the top five being mathematically impossible following a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest – their sixth consecutive league loss.
A sixth-place finish could earn an extra Champions League berth if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth this season.
This rivalry became prominent in the early 2000s as Chelsea began competing for league titles.
The first major meeting to spark this feud in a similar situation to this weekend, on the final day of the 2002/03 season.
Both sides were battling for a Champions League position, level on 64 points and because the Blues had a superior goal difference, Liverpool had to win.
Ultimately, Steven Gerrard was sent off two minutes before full-time as Chelsea won 2-1, forcing Liverpool to settle for a Europa League place.
Over the years, the rivalry heated up between managers Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez and in 2005 alone, the two giants clashed seven times.
Liverpool v Chelsea: Date and how to follow
The Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, May 9 and kick-off at Anfield is set for 12:30pm.
talkSPORT will have live commentary of the match as part of a packed Saturday schedule.
Coverage will start at 11am on GameDay Exclusive, presented by Reshmin Chowdhury, with commentary from Sam Matterface and Stuart Pearce.
Tune in to talkSPORT through the website via the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.
Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event.
Subscribe to our talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT X.
The match will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 11am.
Liverpool v Chelsea: Team news
Chelsea are hoping to have Reece James and Levi Colwill in contention for the starting lineup.
James sustained a hamstring injury in March, while Colwill returned to action as a substitute in their last fixture following a serious ACL injury.
However, interim manager Calum McFarlane confirmed that Jesse Derry and Robert Sanchez will miss out on the action, alongside Estevao.
Additionally, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are doubts for the trip to Merseyside.
He said: ” We’ve got a few lads returning. Levi has trained a full week with us, and so has Reece, so it’s really positive with those two.
“We’ve still got another session [before facing Liverpool], but both trained fully today and we’re hopeful [that they could start].
“Pedro Neto and Garnacho are both carrying knocks and it’s unlikely that they will be available. While Rob won’t be available after the injury he sustained against Nottingham Forest.”
On the other hand, Liverpool have a long list of absentees, including striker Hugo Ekitike, however, Alexander Isak will be back available after a minor groin injury.
Mohamed Salah is also ruled out with a muscle injury, as are goalkeepers, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson Becker, the latter of whom remains a serious doubt.
Liverpool v Chelsea: What has been said?
On Inside Chelsea, Jason Cundy predicted: “Liverpool are not in great form Liverpool, there’s not a great deal to choose between us and them.
“We talks about managers changing, and Arne Slot could leave soon, and Xabi Alonso could be looking at going there.
“But I still believe both teams will score.”
Conversely, Jermaine Pennant said on Inside Liverpool: “A draw is not good enough for us.
“Chelsea have conceded more than three goals in four of their last five Premier League games. I think we will score over 2.5 goals.