Liverpool take perfect record to Chelsea for biggest test
• All eyes will be on Stamford Bridge on Saturday for juicy top-of-table clash of unbeaten Premier League teams
Unbeaten Chelsea and Liverpool face off on Saturday at Stamford Bridge in what will be the biggest clash of the Premier League season so far.
Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool have won all six league games while Chelsea’s winning streak was ended by a goalless draw at West Ham on Sunday. But Chelsea have 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 have won only one of their 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 champions Manchester City who are also unbeaten with five wins and a draw. Pep Guardiola’s side will expect to pick up three more points when they host Brighton at the Etihad.
Dale Stephens (hamstring) and Pascal Gross (ankle) are ruled out for Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion side.
It has been another testing week for Manchester United who after their 1-1 draw at home to promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday were knocked out of the League Cup by second-tier (Championship) side Derby County.
Added to those disappointing results has been the tension between manager Jose Mourinho and French midfielder Paul Pogba. United now face a tricky trip to the capital to face West Ham at London Stadium.
The Hammers’ draw with Chelsea following their win at Everton has surely given them the belief that they can be the latest team to add to Manchester United’s and Mourinho’s woes.
Tottenham travel north to face bottom club Huddersfield Town, while Arsenal face fourth-placed Watford who have won four of their opening games.