Liverpool takes perfect record to Chelsea for biggest test
unbeaten Chelsea and liverpool face off on saturday at stamford bridge in what is the biggest clash of the premier league season so far.
juergen Klopp’s liverpool has won all six league games in while Chelsea’s winning streak was ended by a goalless draw at West ham on sunday.
but Chelsea has the psychological boost of a midweek victory over liverpool in the league Cup, albeit in a game in which both sides made eight changes.
Klopp knows Chelsea winger eden hazard, who scored a brilliant solo winner after coming on as a second-half substitute, represents the biggest threat to his team’s perfect start.
the belgian has been one of the few players who enjoyed a successful World Cup to make an impressive start to the season and he believes the league Cup win will boost the blues.
“this result will give us more confidence because we drew with West ham a few days ago,” hazard said.
“but the game on saturday is more important. We have got to try and beat liverpool.”
liverpool has won only one of its last five premier league meetings with Chelsea, including the 1-0 defeat in their last game at stamford bridge in may.
Watching with interest on saturday will be champion manchester City, which is also unbeaten with five wins and a draw.
pep Guardiola’s side will expect to pick up three more points when it hosts brighton & hove Albion at the etihad. Dale stephens (hamstring) and pascal Gross (ankle) are ruled out for Chris hughton’s side.
It has been another testing week for manchester united, which following its 1-1 draw at home to promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers was knocked out of the league Cup by second-tier side Derby County.
Added to those disappointing results has been the continued tension between manager jose mourinho and French midfielder paul pogba.
this was the pogba that mourinho believed he could build his vision of united around back in 2016. At 89 million pounds ($117.3 million), he got his man and declared: “he is young, will improve and has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”
maybe, at 25, he still will but for the moment, it is far from clear if it will be him or mourinho left standing at old trafford when the smoke from their conflagration clears.
united now faces a tricky trip to the capital to face West ham united at london stadium – the hammers’ draw with Chelsea following their win at everton has surely given them the belief they can be the latest to add to mourinho’s woes.
tottenham travels North to face bottom club hudddersfield town while Arsenal face fourth-place Watford, which has won four of its opening games.
On TV: English Premier League Week 7: Saturday: West ham united vs manchester united (live on sport 1 at 2:30 p.m.); Arsenal vs Watford (live on sport 1 at 5 p.m.); manchester City vs brighton & hove Albion (live on sport 2 at 5 p.m.); Chelsea vs liverpool (live on sport 1 at 7:30 p.m.). Sunday: Cardiff City vs burnley (live on sport 1 at 6 p.m.)