Fireworks

Klopps Reds head to The Bridge in blockbuster clash with Lampard’s Blues

IF THE opening weekend is anything to go by, English Premier League fans are in for a treat when Chelsea host champions Liverpool on Sunday (11.30 Malaysian time). Chelsea travelled to the Amex Stadium on Monday night and recorded a 3-1 victory over Brighton, with their new signings immediately looking at home in the Premier League.

Liverpool faced a battle to keep Leeds United at bay in an opening-day thriller at Anfield before running out 4-3 winners.

Promoted Leeds put up a great fight but Liverpool found a way to get the three points, which is a sign of a champion team.

These sides last met on 22 July, when Liverpool won 5-3 on Merseyside, and expect similar entertainment this weekend.

Liverpool’s clash with Leeds showed they need to tighten up at the back and Chelsea also have defensive shortcomings from last season to iron out.

Both the Blues and Liverpool possess a plethora of attacking options, and goals at both ends could well be on the agenda. Previous headto-head battles suggest a clean sheet for either side is unlikely.

Egypt striker Mohamed Salah was never given a proper chance at Chelsea, but at Liverpool he has demonstrated how deadly he can be in front of goal.

Salah is Liverpool’s main attacking threat and he opened his account for the season last weekend with a hattrick against Leeds.

The former Roma ace scored two penalties and a beautiful shot to ensure the Reds secured three points and he will be confident of carrying that on this weekend.

Chelsea’s new recruit Kai Havertz said yesterday he will not put pressure on himself to justify his price tag following his big-money move from German side Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month.

Havertz, 21, was signed by Chelsea for a reported fee of £71 million(RM390m) a club record fee for an outfield player.

“Of course it’s a big price tag but I think in football today it’s normal to pay these prices,” Havertz told reporters.

“I will not put a lot of pressure on myself because I think I’m doing not the best or the worst because the price tag is that high.

“I’m trying to focus on football and trying to play my best football here in Chelsea… I’m just playing football, I love to play football. That’s why I’m here.

“I played every offensive position at Leverkusen,” he added. “I played as a right winger, a No. 10, a No. 6, No. 8 – sometimes as a striker as well.

“But for me it’s very important to have that flexibility on the pitch and to be creative. I need a little time to adapt to the League. It’s very different to Germany but I’m looking forward to it.”

Manchester United get their Premier League campaign underway this weekend with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having to make some key decisions with his team.

A lot will depend on who is ready to play against Crystal Palace on Sunday (12.30am) with several United players only returning to Carrington this week, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Nemanja Matic included.

Solskjaer confirmed Paul Pogba is a doubt to face The Eagles after missing France’s recent Nations League double-header following a positive coronavirus test.

Donny van de Beek was a class act against Aston Villa and should start, while Scott McTominay excelled in the friendly alongside the Dutchman in the first half before being withdrawn. If Pogba is unavailable, that axis could be on show again.

Arsenal takes on London rivals West Ham United in an intriguing derby at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have kicked off their campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over newly promoted Fulham and will look to build on an excellent start to the season.

West Ham were not at their best in their opening game and suffered a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend.

The Hammers need to improve under David Moyes and cannot afford to make sloppy mistakes against an efficient Arsenal side. – Agencies