The Premier League champions journey to Stamford Bridge on their victory tour, although Arne Slot won’t be eager for requirements to drop towards Champions League-chasing Chelsea.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool
Premier League (35) | Stamford Bridge
Could 4, 2025 | 4.30pm (BST)
London, the champions are on the town.
It has been every week filled with celebrations, largely for Liverpool supporters, however focus turns again to the motion on the pitch on Sunday because the Reds meet Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
Right here’s all you must know concerning the penultimate away sport of the season.
1. Slot will rotate now the league is gained
With the title wrapped up with 4 video games to spare, Slot has been handed the flexibleness that comes with seeing the stress for outcomes dissipate.
That isn’t to say Liverpool shouldn’t be focusing on as many factors as attainable, however the Reds boss is able to use the perimeter gamers who’ve predominantly been spectators this season.
“My lineups can be completely different than the one we’ve had largely over the past 10 months as nicely,” Slot confirmed on Friday.
“We’re not going to vary everybody, however there can be a number of gamers that come into the staff. There can be a sure rotation within the upcoming video games.”
This may profit the likes of Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Federico Chiesa and probably Caoimhin Kelleher, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha.
2. Conor Bradley ‘anticipated’ to be obtainable
Conor Bradley missed out towards Tottenham resulting from a knock in coaching final week and subsequently didn’t be a part of his teammates for coaching on Wednesday.
Slot, nevertheless, is optimistic he’ll be capable of title the Northern Irishman in his matchday squad at Chelsea – though it can depend on how he educated on Friday.
“He’ll prepare with us in the present day (Friday), in order that’s the primary begin and let’s see how he does,” Slot stated.
“We count on him to be obtainable. I don’t know if meaning that he’s obtainable to begin, but when all goes nicely in the present day and tomorrow (Saturday) he’ll most likely be within the squad.”
If Bradley proves his health, it can depart solely Joe Gomez (hamstring) on the damage checklist.
3. The primary guard of honour
By wrapping the league up with video games to spare, Liverpool have earned the best to be welcomed onto the pitch with a guard of honour.
It isn’t obligatory however it’s a present of respect and can should be agreed upon forward of the sport because it dictates how the groups stroll out of the tunnel.
And Maresca has confirmed Chelsea will oblige, saying: “They gained the Premier League in order that they deserve it.”
Chelsea have been one in all seven groups to offer Jurgen Klopp‘s Reds a guard of honour in 2019/20, however this time there can be followers in attendance for the custom.
We love this half!
4. Chelsea preventing for Champions League spot
Chelsea head into the fixture off the again of a 4-1 win of their Europa Convention League semi-final first leg in Sweden, which noticed Maresca relaxation key gamers both from the beginning or throughout the match.
Cole Palmer got here off the bench, as too Moises Caicedo, whereas Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke have been all taken off at halftime.
They might, nevertheless, be with out goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and ahead Christopher Nkunku for a match that continues to be important for them as they’re presently within the race for Champions League soccer.
The Blues, presently fifth, have drawn two and gained two of their final 4 league outings and sit forward of Nottingham Forest solely on objective distinction.
Attainable Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Style, Chabah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Web; Jackson
5. Predicted Liverpool lineup
With Slot revealing he can be rotating his staff, it opens the door for lots of choices in terms of his beginning XI.
He gained’t be making wholesale modifications however the ones he does make, you sense will are available in midfield and assault.
Endo, Elliott and Curtis Jones ought to come back into midfield – although will Slot be keen to vary the entire division? – whereas Darwin Nunez is in line for an opportunity up prime.
It’s a staff that has sufficient to get the job achieved and nonetheless introduce the common gamers off the bench as and when wanted. Why not experiment, eh?
Predicted LFC XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Nunez
6. Slot: Title “large attraction” for signings
Liverpool are anticipated to have a busy summer time forward within the switch window, and Slot spoke of how the title and the membership’s followers have proven the Reds to be a “large attraction” for targets:
“I feel the principle benefit of profitable the league is that, till now, if I spoke to gamers, new gamers that we wished to usher in, I at all times advised them that our followers are actually particular, that it’s particular to play at this membership.
“I feel that was perhaps not even obligatory to inform them up to now, however after Sunday I don’t suppose I ever have to inform anybody once more how particular our followers are, as a result of that was un-be-lievable.
“So, profitable the league, having these followers, I feel this can be a large attraction to each participant we wish to herald, and that’s positively useful.”
7. Data nonetheless to struggle for
Whereas Liverpool have already climbed the mountain, there may be nonetheless loads on the road within the video games that stay.
In the event that they choose up 9 factors from the remaining 4 video games, they’ll register their third-biggest factors haul in a title-winning season.
The Reds amassed 99 factors in 2019/20 and 98 (transformed to 3 factors for a win) in 1978/79.
Slot, in the meantime, wants seven factors from the final 4 fixtures to file essentially the most factors in a Reds supervisor’s first season in cost. Kenny Dalglish‘s staff in 1985/86 earned 88 factors.
8. Enzo Maresca a “lifeless man strolling”
Chelsea are on the cusp of a spot within the Europa Convention League remaining and are in competition for a top-five end, however all will not be nicely – as supporter Richard Lengthy (@Chelseafan_Rick) advised us:
“Enzo Maresca has now misplaced the overwhelming majority of the followers and it looks like we’re sleepwalking into his eventual departure.
“The soccer is harking back to “Sarri-ball” in that it focuses on possession, passing and controlling the sport.
“Maresca refuses to adapt his model of soccer and continues to speak down what the staff’s ambitions must be.
“This had led to followers feeling apathetic concerning the present staff and season. Useless man strolling!”
9. Referee: Simon Hooper
Simon Hooper is the referee for the journey to Stamford Bridge, and whereas we’ve got fairly the historical past with him Liverpool have really gained all three video games he has overseen this season.
As for Chelsea, he has been the referee for 2 of their league wins at dwelling. He’s averaging 4.6 yellow playing cards per sport within the Premier League.
Adrian Holmes and Simon Lengthy can be his touchline assistants, with Tony Harrington as fourth official and John Brooks as lead VAR.
10. observe the match with TIA!
Chelsea vs. Liverpool can be proven stay on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion and Sky Sports activities Premier League within the UK, which you’ll be able to stream right here , with protection getting underway at 4pm (BST) forward of the 4.30pm kick off.
When you’d want extra biased commentary on our champions, then make sure to be a part of Harry McMullen on our stay weblog – he can be available to maintain you entertained and knowledgeable from 3.45pm.
Into these, Reds!
