The clash of the weekend is upon us and it does have a great backstory to it. Chelsea, the defending Premier League champions host Liverpool and it is the Chelsea manager who is under pressure after his side has lost half the games they have played in the league. Chelsea sit in the lower rungs of the league table, not too far away from Liverpool, who themselves have been under pressure.
Jurgen Klopp did get his first win against Bournemouth in the Carling Cup, but they played a lot of fringe players in the game. The Liverpool team do have a lot of issues regarding injuries, but that win could give them the boost they need to get that important win at Chelsea.
Rumours suggest that a loss for Mourinho would be his last game in charge during his second time at Chelsea and that would be something since Mourinho himself claimed that he was here to build a dynasty and achieve things with the Blues.
This is also the worst start to a Premier League campaign by a defending champion and Chelsea could be looking to fix that with a win over Liverpool. We look at the three important battles between the teams which could decide where the points go.
Nemanja Matic vs. Lucas Leiva
Tough tackling will be on display in this game that much is a surety. Lucas and Matic have faced contrasting seasons so far, while the Brazilian wasn’t always in Rodgers’ plans, he has shown that he does have a future under Klopp and has done extremely well. While Matic has always been in the starting XI at Chelsea but has not been able to show the same performance as last season, he should have a huge role in trying to control the Liverpool attack.
Lucas also will have his work cut out as Chelsea at home are difficult opposition and the Brazilian would have to be at his wits to ensure Chelsea don’t get a hold of the game early on.
Willian vs. Alberto Moreno
Alberto Moreno has found a new lease of life under Jurgen Klopp after being dropped at the start of the season for the younger Joe Gomez from the starting lineup. While Moreno has shown that he still has a great future ahead of him, Willian has probably been the one player who has done well for Chelsea since the start of the season.
Willian would probably start on the right of Chelsea and would be going head to head against Moreno, whoever does better in the duel could well provide their team with a great chance of winning this huge game.
Eden Hazard vs. Philippe Coutinho
Two players who are supposed to be the attacking threats for their teams but have turned into pussycats this season, Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho should be looking to take the game by the scruff of the neck but their performances this season have been extremely poor.
Coutinho and Hazard were in the team of the year last season, but they have not shown the same drive and determination from last season. Hazard is a slight doubt for the game while Coutinho was rested against Bournemouth; hopefully both players do start and can star for their teams.