KLOPP’S ON THE ATTACK
Reds to win Anfield shoot-out No halting rampant PSG but tricky for Barca
PEARSON’S
BOTH Liverpool and Chelsea have found the back of the net in 11 of the last 12 league games between the sides and tonight’s clash should be another wonderful Anfield occasion.
The Reds conceded three second-half goals in Sevilla in midweek as their defensive frailties resurfaced. But they’ve conceded just once in their last eight Premier League home games, although those were not against sides of the calibre of Chelsea.
Liverpool are 23-20 with BetVictor to win, Chelsea 5-2 and the draw 13-5.
Since Jurgen Klopp became Liverpool manager in October 2015, the Reds have won the most points in headto-head matches between the “big six” (37 in 22 games) and I think they will maintain that position tonight. Mohamed Salah’s brace against Southampton last Saturday means he has scored more goals than any other Liverpool player in his first 12 PL games – some feat when you consider he scored just twice in 13 league games with Chelsea.
He may feel he has something to prove against his old club and the Egyptian is 11-2 to score first and 6-4 to net at any time this evening.
Liverpool haven’t beaten Chelsea at Anfield since May 2012 but they are unbeaten in their last five league meetings against the Blues, although their two recent wins have come at Stamford Bridge.
The recommendation is for Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 11-4.
Everton have been fortunate to pick up four points from their last two league matches against Watford and Crystal Palace but their luck ran out on Thursday when they were outclassed 5-1 by Atalanta in the Europa League.
There was no rhyme or reason to David Unsworth’s team selection and it is fair to say that they need a new manager sooner rather than later.
Toffees majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri was reported yesterday as saying they were “close” to appointing a new manager. Watford boss Marco Silva and RB Leipzig director of football Ralf Rangnick are 3-1 joint favourites, with Unsworth 4-1 and Sam Allardyce and Sean Dyche 8s.
Everton go to Southampton tomorrow with the Saints keen to move on from a poor performance at Anfield. They look a fair price at 5-6 to win.
Everton have failed to score in four of their last five trips to St Mary’s and haven’t won away in their last 14 league games.
Everton meet old boss David Moyes’ West Ham at home on Wednesday – they need a new manager in by then to lift the mood. Go to BetVictor.com