Prediction: Chelsea vs Liverpool

Verdict: draw

Best rating: 13/5

Bookmaker:

Chelsea are set to host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, in a postponed Premier League clash between the last English clubs to sit on the European throne so far, with the two clubs not far from the heights of their respective quality should lead them to.

The big news at Stamford Bridge right now is the sacking of Graham Potter. Certainly expected given the results and table placement, but still a bit of a surprise given the support the club's hierarchy have expressed throughout the campaign for the now former manager.

For the time being, the team will be under the command of assistant coach Bruno Saltor, but the club are linked with a number of high caliber managers who are currently out of work. Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann's name is most pronounced at this point, but whoever succeeds Potter in the hot seat, Saltor will be the one to lead the team in this game.

The last two results so far, a 2-2 draw with Everton and a 0-2 loss to Aston Villa, both at home, are widely believed to be the reason for the club's decision to relieve Potter of his functions. Before that, they lost 2-0 away to Tottenham Hotspur, beat Leeds United at home 1-0, beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 and beat Leicester City by 1- 3.

Incidentally, Leicester have also since sacked manager Brendan Rodgers, the man who helped Jose Mourinho at Chelsea for a time and led Liverpool for over three years.

The loss to Aston Villa saw Chelsea drop out of the top half of the Premier League table, a truly disappointing state of affairs after the club spent over £600million on new players over the past few years. last two transfer windows. Currently 11th on just 38 points, 12 behind fourth-placed Manchester United and with six teams between the two, the Blues have all but said goodbye to Champions League qualification for next season; that is, unless they somehow manage to earn it that mandate. But for that they must first overtake current holders Real Madrid.

As he works to build a squad to face Liverpool, Saltor will not be able to call on strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (back) and Armando Broja (knee), defenders Thiago Silva (knee) and Cesar Azpilicueta (head), as well as goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (wrist).

On the other hand, former Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling and defender Wesley Fofana (both with hamstrings) are expected to be back.

Kepa Arrizabalaga will be in goal. Assuming he is ready to play, Fofana should join Benoit Badiashile and Kalidou Koulibaly in the back line of three. N'Golo Kante is expected to partner Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park, with Reece James on the right and Ben Chilwell on the left. Kai Havertz is expected to lead the line in the lead, backed by Liverpool-linked Mason Mount and Joao Felix.

Things haven't been so bad for Liverpool, but they haven't been much better either. Having competed on all four fronts until the final roll of the dice last season, Jurgen Klopp's side are now in eighth place, three points clear and one game clear of Chelsea. However, they also don't seem likely to qualify for the Champions League, and unlike Chelsea, they no longer have a chance to win the competition this season, having faced Real Madrid in the Round of 16. p>

Besides the impressive 7-0 thrashing at Manchester United and a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, both at home, the Merseysiders' form has been dismal recently. Their last six games in all competitions also include a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, a 1-0 second leg loss to Real in Madrid and a 4-1 thrashing suffered at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad.

Asked to comment on the sackings of Potter and Rodgers in his pre-match press conference, Klopp admitted he felt only his previous achievements with the club kept him going. He also revealed that the club are working hard behind the scenes to strengthen their ranks at the end of the season, and apart from Chelsea's Mason Mount, they have been most closely linked with Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, as well as to Jesper from Eintracht Frankfurt. Lindstrom more recently.

Klopp is eagerly awaiting the return of Luis Diaz, who has been out for five months with a knee injury. The Colombian winger has resumed training with the squad, but he's not expected to play until next week. Midfielders Thiago Alcantara (hip) and Naby Keita (muscle) also remain absent at the moment. Midfielder Stefan Bajcetic and defender Calvin Ramsey will not play again this season.

Alisson Becker will be among the...