Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on sunday in what is sure to be a tense and fiery affair. The clubs met four times last year with Liverpool doing the double in the league and knocking Chelsea out of the League cup however Liverpool were denied a clean sweep as Chelsea beat the Reds in May to secure FA cup glory with a 2-1 victory. So overall Liverpool maybe got the better of Chelsea last year but suffered ultimately losing the one they really wanted in the cup final.
However a lot has changed since last year Liverpool have a new manager and a new passing philosophy, whereas Chelsea still have the same manager but his philosophy has changed dramatically with the introduction of new attacking personnel to make them a force to be reckoned with up front.
These changes are what will make this fixture all the more interesting this season as Chelsea look to take revenge against Liverpool in the league. Chelsea have seen the introduction of Eden Hazard and Oscar two bright talents who have gelled almost instantly with Juan Mata to form one of the most formidable attacking forces in the country. However despite their new found attacking fluiditiy they have been exposed to be much more open and a bit more vulnerable at the back as shown in the two recent fixtures with Manchester United and Liverpool will be hoping that they can take advantage of this.
Liverpool have not been firing on all cylinders though as only Suarez has been finding the net with any consistency as others have stuggled to find the net and convert chances when it's mattered and they are currently in the bottom half of the table because of this. They will be hoping that this sunday they can turn this around and get their season back on track. Rodgers will be expected to bring Suarez and Gerrard back into the starting line up after resting them for the trip to Russia in midweek and the Reds will be hoping that they can inspire their team to provide a good result to go with a good performance.
This fixture also allows Fernando Torres the chance to kickstart his season against his former club where he enjoyed so much success, the £50 million pound man has struggled at Chelsea since his big money move in January of 2011. He has not yet managed to re-produce the scintillating form he had at Anfield and has often cut a forlorn figure lacking confidence on the pitch. He now has a chance this year as Chelsea's leading striker to try and get some form together and he will be hoping he can start this and score tomorrow when Liverpool come to the capital.
The man brought in to replace him however Luis suarez has become a talisman at the club just as Torres once was and he has been Liverpool's main source of goals this year scoring 10 in 15 appearances, his best goal to game ratio at this stage of the season in his time at the club. He scored one of the best goals you'll see all season last week against Newcastle and fans of the Uruguayan will be hoping he can continue his good form tomorrow.
Form is very much on Chelsea's side but this is Chelsea Liverpool and form can not be relied upon. Liverpool should be back to full strength as they welcome back Pepe Reina and former blue Glen Johnson following injuries which have kept the pair out out for the last two weeks. Chelsea welcom back John Terry following his four game suspension following the racism row with Anton Ferdinand.
I feel that this will be an open game with some very attractive football with the great passing style of both teams on display here. Liverpool will be hoping that they can change the story of their season so far and they will be able to convert the chances that their neat passing play creates. On the other hand Chelsea will be hoping that their forwards can continue to score so freely whilst the reinstatement of John Terry will hopefully keep it tight at the back.
Overall I think whoever scores first will go onto to win and I'm gonna stick my neck out and go with my heart and say 2-1 Liverpool.
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