Amidst the intense competition for the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the significance of the three points at stake in the Chelsea vs. Liverpool match may seem trivial. As of now, Caicedo seems inclined towards a move to Stamford Bridge, but no agreement has been reached with Brighton regarding the transfer fee for the Ecuadorian midfielder. Liverpool, on the other hand, had their hopes high when their £111 million offer was accepted, but they might end up losing out on their target to Chelsea, who are now actively pursuing Lavia.
These ongoing transfer negotiations have overshadowed the fact that this match is the biggest one of the opening weekend of the season. Both Chelsea and Liverpool are looking to bounce back after finishing outside the top four last season (with Chelsea finishing outside the top half entirely). Here’s all the information you need to know about watching the match:
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Viewing information:
Date: Sunday, Aug. 13
Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
Location: Stamford Bridge, London
Live stream: Peacock
Odds: Chelsea +175; Draw +260; Liverpool +138
Featured Game | Chelsea vs. Liverpool
Storylines
Chelsea: Despite the significant investments made over the past year, new manager Mauricio Pochettino faces a challenging task in his first game at Stamford Bridge. The midfield lacks replacements for the departed N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, with Conor Gallagher being considered for a starting role alongside Enzo Fernandez. The absence of Christopher Nkunku, who is recovering from knee surgery and will be unavailable for most of the season, adds to Chelsea’s attacking concerns.
The appointment of Reece James as the club captain further emphasizes the new era under Pochettino. Instead of going for an experienced veteran like Thiago Silva, Pochettino has chosen a talented youngster to lead the team, reflecting Chelsea’s ambitions for the future.
Liverpool: Regardless of whether they secure the signings of Caicedo, Lavia, or someone else, Liverpool’s midfield will be under scrutiny in the coming weeks. A recent change in their style of play has seen Trent Alexander-Arnold operating in more central areas when Liverpool has possession. Summer signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to provide support around Alexander-Arnold. However, the departure of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia leaves a vacancy in the anchor role of the midfield. While Curtis Jones may fill in at Stamford Bridge, it is unlikely that he will be a long-term solution.
There are other areas where Liverpool needs to find answers as well. Can Andrew Robertson adapt to playing as an auxiliary center back, similar to Nathan Ake and Ben White? Will Szoboszlai drift wide to bring Mohammed Salah closer to goal, something Liverpool struggled with last season? These questions will be answered in due course.
Prediction
This highly-anticipated clash may not live up to the thrill-a-minute games of the past, and could potentially be decided by a solitary goal. In such cases, it is wise to favor the team that has Salah in their ranks. Prediction: Chelsea 0, Liverpool 1
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